TWI771041B - Ozone gas generating keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

Examples in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to a device including a housing and a keyboard disposed in the housing. The keyboard includes a set of keys, a layer of photocatalytic material coupled to the set of keys, and an ultraviolet (UV) light source to expose the layer of photocatalytic material to UV light to generate ozone gas.

Description

ozone gas generating keyboard

The present invention relates to ozone gas generating keyboards.

A keyboard includes a set of keys and can be used to provide input to various computing devices, such as laptop computing devices and tablet computing devices.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device is specially proposed, which includes: a casing; and a keyboard, which is arranged in the casing, the keyboard includes: a set of keys; a layer of photocatalyst material, which is coupled to the the set of keys; and an ultraviolet (UV) light source for exposing the photocatalyst material of the layer to UV light to generate ozone gas.

In some non-limiting examples, aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a keyboard of a device that generates ozone gas. The ozone gas can interact with a set of keys of the keyboard. The keyboard may include a layer of photocatalyst material coupled to the set of keys, and an ultraviolet (UV) light source. The UV light source can expose the photocatalyst material layer to UV light, which causes the generation of the ozone gas. In some applications, these paradigms are advantageous because the ozone gas can neutralize pathogens located on the set of keys of the keyboard and/or on a display of the device or a display of an attached computing device.

A keyboard of an example device may include a set of keys. The set of keys can be selectively pressed by a user to provide user input to the device. Due to human interaction with the keyboard, the set of keys may be exposed to and/or contaminated with pathogens. Exemplary pathogens include bacteria, viruses, and other types of microorganisms that can cause disease. Various examples are directed to a keyboard that includes a set of keys, a layer of photocatalyst material coupled to the set of keys, and a UV light source. The layer of photocatalyst material and the UV light source can expose the set of keys to ozone gas to neutralize pathogens.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an example device including an ozone gas generating keyboard according to examples of the present disclosure. Various examples are directed to a device 100 that includes the keyboard and a display, such as a laptop computing device. In other examples, device 100 may include a keyboard device attachable to a computing device with a display.

As shown in FIG. 1A , the device 100 includes a casing 102 and a keyboard 104 . The keyboard 104 may be disposed in the housing 102, as further illustrated in Figure IB. The housing 102 may be formed from a variety of materials, such as metal or plastic.

The keyboard 104 includes a set of keys 106 , a photocatalyst material layer 108 and a UV light source 110 . The keyboard 104 may further include circuitry coupled to the set of keys 106, as described further below. The photocatalyst material layer 108 may be coupled to the set of keys 106 . As used herein, a photocatalyst material may include and/or refer to a material that exhibits a chemical reaction to light. Non-limiting examples of photocatalyst materials include: titanium dioxide ( _TiO2 ), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin (IV) oxide ( _SnO2 ), oxygen deficient copper oxide (CuxO), iron (III) oxide ( _FeO3 ), sulfide Cadmium (CdS), zinc sulfide (ZnS), and combinations thereof.

UV light source 110 may expose photocatalyst material layer 108 to UV light 112 . For example, the photocatalyst material 108 may be disposed between the set of keys 106 and the UV light source 110, and the exposure of the photocatalyst material layer 108 to the UV light 112 may cause the generation of ozone gas. As shown, the photocatalyst material layer 108 and the UV light source 110 may be disposed in the housing 102 . In some examples, the ozone gas may interact with the set of keys 106 , such as with a surface of the set of keys 106 exposed outside the housing 102 . The interaction of the ozone gas may include a reaction with pathogens on the surface of the set of keys 106 to disinfect the set of keys 106 . As used herein, disinfection may include and/or refer to reducing pathogens on the set of keys 106 . In some examples, the pathogens can be eliminated, although examples are not so limited. For example, disinfection may include a neutralization of a portion of the pathogens on the set of buttons 106 .

In some examples, the keyboard 104 may include a key matrix and a coupled processor. The key matrix may include circuitry in a grid below the set of keys 106, and/or capacitive circuitry. The set of buttons 106 can act as switches for the circuit. For example, a circuit in the grid can be interrupted at a point below the respective key. When a key in the set of keys 106 is pressed, the circuit in the grid associated with that key is complete, which can cause current to flow. When the respective key is pressed, the current can be identified by the coupled processor. The processor determines which key was pressed, such as by using keyboard 104 and/or a character map in a memory of device 100 . The coupled processor of keyboard 104 may include or form part of a controller of device 100 that communicates with a second processor of device 100 or a processor of an attached computing device, such as device 100 or attached A central processing unit (CPU) and/or a system-on-a-chip (SOC) of a computing device.

As used herein, a controller refers to or includes a chip, an expansion card, or a stand-alone device that interfaces with the device 100 or the processor of the attached computing device, such as a CPU of a laptop computing device . In some non-limiting examples, the controller may refer to or include an embedded controller, although examples are not so limited.

The character map may be a line graph or a look-up table that correlates individual keys with what the keystrokes or keystroke combinations represent, such as a letter or a number. As an example, pressing the "a" key may correspond to the lowercase letter "a", while pressing the "a" key in conjunction with the "shift" key may correspond to the uppercase letter "A".

In some examples, the switches of the keyboard 104 are non-mechanical. For example, the keyboard 104 may include capacitive switches in which current flows constantly in the circuitry of the key matrix. Each button can be spring loaded and includes a capacitive plate. When a user presses a respective key, the key plate can move closer to a capacitor plate of the circuit, and the amount of current flowing changes.

In some examples, as further illustrated in Figures 3A-3C, device 100 may be a laptop computing device that includes a cover portion that includes a display, and a base portion coupled to the cover portion. A display (sometimes referred to herein as a "display device") is an output device that displays information. Example displays include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, and the like. Housing 102 may include a base portion with keyboard 104, and a processor disposed within housing 102 (and separate from the processor of keyboard 104). The processor may include the CPU of the laptop computing device that actuates the UV light source 110 to expose the photocatalyst material layer 108 to UV light 112 .

In some examples, as further shown in FIG. 4, device 100 may be a keyboard device attachable to a computing device. In these examples, the keyboard device may form a cover for the computing device. The keyboard device can communicate with the computing device. In some examples, a processor of the keyboard device or a processor of the computing device can control the actuation of the UV light source 110 , as further described with reference to FIG. 4 .

FIG. 1B illustrates an example side view of the keyboard 104 of the device 100 of FIG. 1A.

As shown, the housing 102 may include a top surface 103 and a bottom surface 105 . Top surface 103 may include a plurality of apertures, as exemplified by particular aperture 101 . A surface that may include the set of keys 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-4, 106-N of the set of keys 106 illustrated in FIG. 1A may extend through the top surface 103 of the housing 102 A plurality of openings are formed, so that a surface of the group of keys 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-4, 106-N is exposed to the outside of the casing 102. For purposes of illustration, the specific opening 101 is shown without a key, and in various examples, a key may extend through the specific opening 101 .

The housing 102 may contain the photocatalyst material layer and the UV light source 110 . For example, the layer of photocatalyst material, as shown by the particular layer of photocatalyst material 108 coupled to the key 106-1, and the UV light source 110 may be disposed between the top surface 103 and the bottom surface 105 of the housing 102.

In some examples, keyboard 104 may include an air gap between openings in top surface 103 of housing 102 and the set of keys 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-4, 106-N, As shown by the specific air gap 109 . The ozone gas generated by the photocatalyst material layer can diffuse through the air gaps between the openings in the top surface 103 and the set of keys 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-4, 106-N, In order to interface with the surface of the group of keys 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-4, 106-N exposed outside the casing 102 .

In some examples, the keyboard 104 further includes a first light source. The first light source may be integrated with the UV light source 110 or separate from the UV light source 110 . In some examples, the first light source can be activated and the UV light source 110 can be deactivated in response to the keyboard 104 being in a position to receive user input. The UV light source 110 can be actuated for a critical period and can be actuated when the first light source is deactivated to sterilize the set of keys 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-4, 106-N .

In some examples, the position of keyboard 104 may include an open position of keyboard 104 relative to a display, such as a display of device 100 or a display of an attached computing device. As used herein, an open position of the keyboard 104 relative to the display and/or the base portion of the device 100 relative to its cover portion includes and/or refers to the distance of the keyboard 104 from a display of the device 100 or from an attached operation A display of the device a critical distance. When in the open position, access to the set of keys of the keyboard 104 is provided. When the keyboard 104 is in a closed position, the UV light source 110 may be activated for a period of time. A closed position of the keyboard 104 relative to a display and/or a base portion relative to a cover portion, as used herein including: the keyboard 104 proximate the display or the cover portion to allow the device or the attachment The cover of the computing device partially blocks access to the keyboard 104 . Since the keyboard 104 is close to the display when the keyboard 104 is in the closed position, the actuation of the UV light source 110 can cause the generation of ozone gas which diffuses to the set of keys 106-1, 106-2 of the device , 106-3, 106-4, 106-N and the device or the display of the attached computing device interact.

However, the examples are not so limited, and the UV light source 110 may be actuated in response to various events, as further described herein.

2 illustrates an example device including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions, according to examples of the present disclosure. The device may be a portable device, such as a laptop computing device, a tablet computing device, and/or a keyboard device attachable to a computing device.

The apparatus includes a processor 220 and a computer-readable storage medium 222 that stores a set of instructions 224, 226 and 228. The computer readable storage medium 222 may include, for example, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, a solid state drive and/or discrete data register banks. In some examples, computer-readable storage medium 222 may be a non-transitory storage medium, where the term "non-transitory" does not encompass transitory propagating signals.

In some examples, the processor 220 and computer-readable storage medium 222 may form part of a controller of a keyboard that is associated with the device or a second processor of an attached computing device executing an operating system (OS). communication, such as a CPU of the device or the attached computing device. For ease of reference, the controller may be referred to as "a controller of the keyboard." In some examples, processor 220 and computer-readable storage medium 222 may form part of a CPU or SOC of a computing device that communicates with the controller of the keyboard, and processor 220 executes the OS. In some examples, the device is a keyboard device that includes the controller of the keyboard and a processor 220, and the processor 220 is in communication with the controller of the keyboard and another processor of the attached computing device. In some examples, processor 220 may be implemented as a multi-core processor, or as a processor circuit integrated into a set of processor circuits in a chipset. In these and other examples, it should be appreciated that the processor 220 may include a single or multiple computer circuits including code for storing and accessing instructions to be accessed or executed to perform the relevant operations memory circuitry.

At instruction 224, the processor 220 may activate a first light source proximate a set of keys of a keyboard to illuminate the set of keys. At instruction 226, the processor 220 may disable the first light source in response to an event. As described further below, the event may include the keyboard being in a first position, receiving a user input, a sensor signal, and/or a threshold period. At instruction 228, the processor 220 may activate a UV light source proximate to a layer of photocatalyst material coupled to the set of keys. As previously explained, actuation of the UV light source can cause the layer of photocatalyst material to generate ozone gas that interacts with the set of keys.

The first and second light sources may include various types of light sources, such as LEDs, fluorescent lamps, and incandescent lamps, among others. In some examples, the first light source may include a white light source that emits white light. However, the example is not so limited, and the first light source may emit light in the visible range of 400-700 nanometers (nm). UV light can include or refer to light in the range of 10 nm up to 400 nm.

As explained above, the processor 220 that actuates the first light source and the UV light source may include a controller of the keyboard and/or a second processor of the device or an attached computing device, such as the device or attached Connect to a CPU or SOC of the computing device. In some examples, the processor 220 may determine the occurrence of an event, and in response, disable the first light source and activate the second light source. In other examples, the device or the second processor attached to the computing device, such as a CPU or SOC, may determine the occurrence of the event and communicate an instruction to the processor 220 to disable the first light source and prompt Move the UV light source.

Various events can cause deactivation of the first light source and activation of the UV light source. In some examples, the event includes receiving a user input. For example, a user may initiate actuation of the UV light source and associated disinfection of the keyboard via the user input to the device or the attached computing device. In some examples, the processor 220 may disable the first light source and activate the UV light source for a period of time after receiving the user input. The device or attached computing device may, in response to the user input, provide a notification via the display for the user to move away from the keyboard and/or place the keyboard in a first position relative to the display. By giving the user time to move, the user is not exposed to ozone gas.

In some examples, the user input may be provided to the keyboard or to the device or the display to which a computing device is attached. For example, processor 220 may initiate deactivation of the first light source and activation of the UV light source in response to a button press on the keyboard. This button press may be recognized by processor 220 . In various examples, the processor 220 may detect the button press via a key scan and recognize that the button press indicates a command to activate the UV light source. In some examples, processor 220 can detect the button press, communicate the button press to the device or the second processor attached to the computing device, and the second processor can recognize that the button press indicates actuation An instruction of the UV light source, and may instruct the processor 220 to disable the first light source and activate the UV light source. However, the example is not so limited, and the user input may be provided to the display, such as to a touch screen of a laptop computing device or a tablet computing device. In some examples, processor 220 may recognize that the user input indicates the instruction to activate the UV light source, deactivate the first light source, and with or without one of the device and/or an attached computing device The UV light source is actuated with the second processor connected.

In some examples, the event may include a critical period. For example, the processor 220 may periodically disable the first light source and activate the UV light source based on a timer. The processor 220 can determine that the critical period is reached based on the timer, and deactivate the first light source and activate the UV light source, either directly or through communication with the controller of the keyboard. In other examples, processor 220 may disable the first light source and activate the UV light source in response to an instruction from the device or the second processor of an attached computing device. In some examples, the timer can be used to deactivate the UV light source. For example, the processor 220 may disable the UV light source in response to the UV light being provided for more than a critical period, such as thirty minutes. The critical period can be set based on the accumulation of ozone gas and user safety.

In some examples, the event may include the keyboard being in a first position relative to a display of the device or an attached computing device. The first position may include a closed position of the keyboard. For example, the processor 220 can determine that the keyboard is in the first position, and in response to the determination, the processor 220 can disable the first light source and activate the UV light source for a period of time. The period may include thirty to sixty seconds. After the period, processor 220 may disable the UV light source and transition the device and/or computing device from a first power mode to a second power mode. The second power mode may include a reduced power mode. In these examples, processor 220 may comprise the second processor of the device or the computing device executing the OS.

However, the example is not limited to this. In some examples, the processor 220 can transition the device, which is a keyboard device, to the second power mode, and the attached computing device can transition the power mode separately. In these examples, processor 220 may include the second processor of a keyboard device, which may detect the position of the keyboard, disable the first light source, and activate the UV light source.

An OS of an example computing device may be associated with a plurality of different operating states. The operating states may include a plurality of different power modes in which different functions of the computing device are enabled and/or disabled. In some examples, the different power modes may be based on the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification. ACPI defines six different power modes from SO state to S5 state. In the S0 state, a computing device operates, and the CPU and other devices can transition to a power saving mode of operation based on the default OS settings according to the access frequency and load status. State S1 to state S4 are referred to as sleep states, in which the CPU stops execution of instructions. The reduction ratio of power consumption may increase in the order from the S1 state to the S4 state, and a time to recover the S0 state from each state increases in this order.

In some examples, processor 220 may transition the device from the second power mode to the first in response to a determination that the keyboard is in a second position relative to a display of the device or an attached computing device power mode. The processor 220 may further activate the first light source to illuminate the set of keys. The second position may include an open position of the keyboard relative to the display.

The position of the keyboard can be determined by the processor 220 and/or by the device or the second processor attached to the computing device using a sensor. For example, the sensor may detect a sensor signal indicative of the position of the keyboard, as further described herein. Example sensors include, but are not limited to, a Hall effect sensor, a capacitive sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, an accelerometer, and other types of sensors.

In some examples, the event may include receiving a sensor signal. As explained above, the sensor signal can indicate the position of the keyboard. In some examples, the sensor signal may indicate the presence of a user. The device or attached computing device may include a thermal sensor, an optical sensor, and an acoustic sensor, as well as other types of sensors that can sense signals indicative of the user's presence. In response to the sensor signal indicating that the user is a critical distance from the keyboard, the processor 220 can disable the first light source and activate the UV light source. In some examples, the processor 220 may directly detect the sensor signal and determine the presence of the user. In some examples, the second processor, such as a CPU or SOC of the device or an attached computing device, can use the sensor signal detected by the sensor to determine the presence of the user , and instructs the processor 220 to disable the first light source and activate the UV light source.

3A-3C illustrate an example device including an ozone gas generating keyboard according to examples of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A , device 330 is a computing device including a closable lid, referred to herein as “a lid portion” 332 , and a base portion 334 including a keyboard 304 .

Cover portion 332 includes a display 343, sometimes referred to herein as a display device. Cover portion 332 is coupled to base portion 334, such as via a hinge. The cover portion 332 may include a first housing in which the display 343 is seated, and the base portion 334 may include a second housing in which the components of the keyboard and the device motherboard are seated.

The base portion 334 includes a keyboard 304 and a processor 320 . The base portion 334 may include the device motherboard and the processor 320 is the CPU or SOC of the computing device. The keyboard 304 includes a set of keys 306, a layer of photocatalyst material 308 coupled to the set of keys 306, and a UV light source 310, such as the keyboard 104 illustrated in Figure IB.

In some examples, processor 320 may actuate UV light source 310 in response to base portion 334 being tied in a first position relative to cover portion 332 . As previously explained, actuation of the UV light source 310 can cause the layer of photocatalyst material 308 to be exposed to UV light 312 and, in response, can cause the generation of ozone gas that interacts with the set of keys 306 . In some examples, the first position of the base portion 334 includes a closed position. The base portion 334 can be in a closed position relative to the cover portion 332 in response to the cover portion 332 blocking the keyboard 304 of the user access device 330 .

In some examples, as further illustrated in FIG. 4 , the device 330 further includes a first light source. The processor 320 can actuate the first light source in response to the base portion 334 being in a second position relative to the cover portion 332 . When the base portion 334 is in the second position, the set of keys 306 can receive user input. For example, the second position of the base portion 334 may include an open position.

The device 330 may further include a sensor for detecting that the base portion 334 is at the first position and/or the second position. The sensor may include a Hall effect sensor, a capacitive sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, a switch, and other types of sensors. In some examples, the sensor can be disposed in the base portion 334 and can detect the proximity of a magnet disposed in the cover portion 332 . In some examples, the base portion 334 can include a mechanical switch that can be pressed down by the cover portion 332 when the base portion 334 is in the first position. In some examples, a mechanical or electrical switch can be located in the hinge coupling the cover portion 332 and the base portion 334, and when the base portion 334 is in the first position, the mechanical or electrical switch can be turned to the Press down.

In some examples, processor 320 may actuate UV light source 310 for a period of time in response to detection by the sensor that base portion 334 is in the first position. After this period, the processor 320 may transition the device 330 from a first power mode to a second power mode, as described above. In some examples, the transition of the device 330 to the second power mode may occur upon actuation of the UV light source 310, and in other examples, the transition may be delayed until after the UV light source 310 is actuated for a period of time.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example of an open position of the base portion 334 of the device 330 relative to the lid portion 332 . When the base portion 334 is tied in the open position, the user can access the keyboard 304 of the device 330 . In some examples, the base portion 334 may be positioned at a support angle 336 with the cover portion 332 when the base portion 334 is tied in the open position. The hinge coupling base portion 334 and cover portion 332 may provide various angles of support while providing access to keyboard 304 .

FIG. 3C illustrates an example of a closed position of the base portion 334 of the device 330 relative to the cover portion 332 . In this closed position, the base portion 334 is proximate the display 343 of the cover portion 332 (shown in Figure 3B). Since the display 343 of the cover portion 332 is close to the base portion 334, in response to exposure to UV light, the photocatalyst material generates ozone gas, which diffuses to interact with the set of keys 306 and the display 343, and the ozone gas can be neutralized pathogens to sanitize the set of keys 306 and display 343 (as shown in FIG. 3B ).

Although the example of FIGS. 3A-3C discusses actuation of the UV light source 310 in response to a position of the base portion 334 , the example is not so limited and the UV light source 310 may be actuated in response to various events, such as previously illustrated by FIG. 2 .

4 illustrates an example system including an ozone gas generating keyboard according to examples of the present disclosure. The system 440 of FIG. 4 includes a keyboard device 445 attachable to a computing device 442 . Computing device 442 may include a display 443 as previously described.

The keyboard device 445 includes a casing 402 and a keyboard 404 . The keyboard 404 includes a set of keys 406 , a photocatalyst material layer 408 and a UV light source 410 . The keyboard 404 may further include circuitry to process button presses or keystrokes to the set of keys 406 . As previously explained, UV light source 410 may expose photocatalyst material layer 408 to UV light 412 to generate ozone gas.

Keyboard device 445 may further include communication circuitry to communicate user input to keyboard 404 to computing device 442 . The communication circuitry may include wireless communication circuitry or wired circuitry coupled to an input of the computing device 442 . In some examples, a processor of computing device 442 communicates instructions to keyboard device 445 .

In some examples, keyboard device 445 may include a processor 452 that actuates UV light source 410 . For example, processor 452 may determine that keyboard 404 is in a closed position relative to display 443 of computing device 442 . In some examples, keyboard 404 may be in a closed position in response to keyboard device 445 moving in the direction of arrow 444 . Although FIG. 4 illustrates keyboard device 445 being moved, arithmetic device 442 may be moved in the opposite direction of arrow 444 to place keyboard 404 in the closed position. Keyboard device 445 may include a sensor for detecting a sensor signal indicative of the position of keyboard 404, as previously described. In response to the sensor signal, the processor 452 can determine that the keyboard 404 is in the closed position and actuate the UV light source 410 for a period of time. However, the examples are not so limited, and the UV light source 410 may be actuated in response to other events and/or the computing device 442 may include the sensor.

In some examples, a processor of computing device 442 may determine the position of keyboard 404 and instruct keyboard device 445 to actuate UV light source 410 . Computing device 442 may include or be in communication with the sensor, such as the various sensors previously described.

The keyboard 404 may further include a first light source 448 . The first light source 448 can be actuated to illuminate the keyboard 404 with visible light 450, as previously explained. In some examples, the first light source 448 may be actuated in response to the keyboard 404 being in an open position and/or the computing device 442 being powered on. The first light source 448 may be controlled by the processor 452 of the keyboard device 445 and/or a processor of the computing device 442 .

In some examples, the keyboard device 445 may form a cover for the computing device 442 . For example, the keyboard device 445 may include a housing 402 disposed on a first flexible portion and include a second flexible portion 447 surrounding a back surface of the computing device 442 . Keyboard device 445 may further include a connector coupled to one side of computing device 442 and allowing computing device 442 to pivot to a plurality of support angles, such as via a foot stand 446 of computing device 442 . In some examples, a sensor may be located in the connector to detect the position of the keyboard 404, such as a mechanical or electrical switch. The sensor can communicate a sensor signal to the processor 452 of the keyboard device 445, and in response, the processor 452 can determine the position of the keyboard 404 and selectively activate and/or deactivate the UV light source 410 and/or The first light source 448 . However, the example is not limited to this.

In some examples, the keyboard device 445 may include a power supply to supply the keyboard device 445 . The processor 452 of the keyboard device 445 can actuate the UV light source 410 when the computing device 442 is in the first power mode and/or the second power mode previously described. In some examples, the processor 452 of the keyboard device 445 may activate the UV light source 410 when the computing device 442 is powered off. For example, the actuation may be in response to detecting the closed position of the keyboard 404 . However, the example is not limited to this.

Various examples of the present disclosure are directed to keyboards, and selective control of keys, which use included components to generate ozone gas. An example keyboard may be referred to as "self-sanitizing" because the components of the keyboard can be controlled to generate ozone gas that neutralizes pathogens on the keys of the keyboard and/or on the device or display to which the computing device is attached.

100,330: Device 101: Opening 102,402: Shell 103: Top Surface 104, 304, 404: Keyboard 105: Bottom surface 106, 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-4, 106-N, 306, 406: button 108: Photocatalyst material (layer) 109: Air Gap 110, 310, 410: UV light source 112, 312, 412: UV light 220, 320, 452: Processor 222: Computer-readable storage media 224, 226, 228: Instructions 308,408: Photocatalyst material layer 332: Cover part 334: base part 336: Support Angle 343,443: Monitor 440: System 442: Computing Device 444: Arrow 445: Keyboard Assembly 446: Tripod 447: Second flexible part 448: First Light Source 450: visible light

1A-1B illustrate an example device including an ozone gas generating keyboard according to examples of the present disclosure.

2 illustrates an example device including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions, according to examples of the present disclosure.

3A-3C illustrate an example device including an ozone gas generating keyboard according to examples of the present disclosure.

4 illustrates an example system including an ozone gas generating keyboard according to examples of the present disclosure.

100: Device

102: Shell

104: Keyboard

106: Button

108: Photocatalyst material (layer)

110: UV light source

112: UV light

Claims (15)

A keyboard device comprising: a housing; and a keyboard disposed in the housing, the keyboard comprising: a set of keys; a layer of photocatalyst material coupled to the set of keys; and an ultraviolet (UV) A light source for exposing the photocatalyst material of the layer to UV light to generate ozone gas. The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of photocatalyst material and the UV light are disposed in the housing, and the ozone gas interacts with one of the set of keys, including interaction with pathogens on a surface of the set of keys A response to sanitize the set of keys. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the layer of photocatalyst material and the UV light source are disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a surface of the set of keys extending through openings in the top surface such that the surface of the set of keys is exposed outside the housing; and in response to exposure to the UV light, the layer of photocatalyst material is used to generate the ozone gas, It diffuses through the air gap between the openings in the top surface and the set of keys to interact with the surface of the set of keys. The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of photocatalyst material is disposed between the set of keys and the UV light source, and the photocatalyst material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), zinc oxide (ZnO), Tin (IV) oxide (SnO ₂ ), anoxic copper oxide (CuxO), iron (III) oxide (FeO ₃ ), cadmium sulfide (CdS), zinc sulfide (ZnS), and combinations thereof. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is attachable to a computing device a keyboard device. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a computing device comprising: a cover portion including a display; and a base portion coupled to the cover portion, the base portion including the housing , the keyboard and a processor disposed in the casing, wherein the processor is used to actuate the UV light source, so that the layer of photocatalyst material is exposed to the UV light. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first light source, wherein: in response to the keyboard being in a position to receive user input, the first light source is activated and the UV light source is deactivated; and the UV light source The first light source is actuated for a critical period when the first light source is deactivated to sterilize the set of keys. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to: actuate a first light source proximate a set of keys on a keyboard to illuminate the set of keys; in response to an event and deactivating the first light source; and activating an ultraviolet (UV) light source close to the photocatalyst material of a layer coupled to the set of keys, the activation of the UV light causing the photocatalyst material of the layer to generate a interacting ozone gas. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the event includes the keyboard being in a first position relative to a display device of a computing device, and the instructions are further executable to cause the processor performing the following actions: determining that the keyboard is in the first position; in response to the determination, deactivating the first light source and activating the UV light source for a period of time; and after the period, deactivating the UV light source and The computing device transitions from a first power mode to a second power mode, wherein the second power mode includes a reduced power mode compared to the first power mode. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions are further executable to cause the processor to: responsive to a determination that the keyboard is in a second position relative to the display device : transition the computing device from the second power mode to the first power mode; and actuate the first light source to illuminate the set of keys, wherein the first position is a closed position and the second position is an open Location. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the event includes receiving a user input, and the instructions are further executable to cause the processor to actuate a period of time after receiving the user input the UV light source. A computing device comprising: a cover part including a display; and a base part including: a keyboard including: a set of keys; a layer of photocatalyst material coupled to the set of keys; and a an ultraviolet (UV) light source; and a processor for actuating the UV light source in response to the base portion being in a first position relative to the cover portion, the actuation of the UV light source causing the layer The photocatalyst material is exposed to UV light, and in response, produces ozone gas that interacts with the set of keys. The device of claim 12, wherein in response to the exposure to the UV light, the layer of photocatalyst material will generate the ozone gas, which diffuses to interact with the set of keys and the display, and the ozone gas system is used to neutralize pathogens to sanitize the set of keys and the display. The computing device of claim 12, wherein: the keyboard further comprises a first light source; the processor is for actuating the first light source in response to the base portion being in a second position relative to the cover portion , wherein the first position includes a closed position and the second position includes an open position; and the set of keys is used for receiving user input when the base portion is positioned at the second position. The device of claim 12, further comprising: a sensor for detecting that the base portion is in the first position; and wherein the processor, in response to the detection, is to: actuate The UV light source is subjected to a period of time; and after the period of time, the device is transitioned from a first power mode to a second power mode.

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