WO2021142047A1

WO2021142047A1 - System for disinfecting a card reader

Info

Publication number: WO2021142047A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/012392
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeremy Goza; Michael Murphy
Original assignee: Proximity Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 2020-01-07
Filing date: 2021-01-07
Publication date: 2021-07-15

Abstract

A system for disinfecting a card reader comprising a light assembly which is attachable to a card reader and comprises a housing. During a disinfection cycle, at least one source of UV light projects UV light onto the key pad of the card reader, and another source of UV light projects UV light onto the touch screen / signature pad of the card reader. A motion sensor detects the presence of a user of the card reader and turns the UV light source off. A timer initiates the disinfection cycle if no motion is detected for a predetermined period of time.

Description

SYSTEM FOR DISINFECTING A CARD READER

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/957,989 filed on January 7, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for disinfecting a credit / debit card reader and, more particularly, to a system for disinfecting a credit / debit card reader using ultraviolet (UV) light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art abounds with numerous disinfection systems which can be used with various types of UV light sources. In particular, UV disinfecting is widely used in hospitals, healthcare facilities, doctor’s offices, and similar environments where germs can easily spread by virtue of human interaction with patients, instruments, walls, and the like. There are many, commercially available UV disinfectant systems which can be installed in hospitals or similar facilities where curtailment of the spread of germs is paramount.

With the advancement of technology, the use of mobile devices such as phones, tablets, and the like has become more and more common. There various systems for disinfecting mobile devices. U.S. Patent 8,964,405, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, discloses a UV disinfection apparatus for disinfecting a phone. The phone is fully enclosed within the device such that no UV light escapes. U.S. Patent 9,339,573, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, discloses a cabinet for disinfecting multiple tablet devices at once. Again, the devices are fully enclosed within the cabinet during disinfection.

U.S. Patent 9,901,652, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, discloses a UV disinfection apparatus that can be used in a hospital or with at a point-of-sale device. The lamp in US 9,901 ,652 is attached to the point of sale device and extends over it. In order disinfect the complete touch wall the lamp must be large enough and/or positioned far enough away that the beam of light covers the entire touch wall of the device.

The present invention provides a UV disinfection device which is low profile and unobtrusive to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system for disinfecting a point-of-purchase credit / debit card reader, also referred to herein as simply a card reader. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a UV disinfection system which periodically disinfects a point-of-purchase credit / debit card reader and which detects motion, e.g., user presence to turn the UV light off.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a UV disinfection system which fits snugly on a point-of-purchase credit / debit card reader. These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the figures in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system of the present invention, showing the light assembly separate from the credit / debit card reader. Figs. 2 and 3 are partial views depicting the light assembly of Fig. 1 on the credit / debit card reader.

Fig. 4 is a schematic, top view depicting the UV light spread from the light assembly of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein the term “card reader” refers to a point-of-purchase device wherein a person can swipe, insert, and/or tap a card for payment. Such card readers generally include a number key pad and a touch screen area. Some card readers also include a stylus.

As used herein the term “key pad” refers to a touch wall comprising buttons or keys. While depicted in the drawings as three dimensional components, the buttons / keys may be incorporated in a touch-screen. The term “key pad” thus includes touch screen keypads. Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. The system shown generally as 10, comprises a light assembly shown generally as 12, a separate driver board or controller 14, and a removable cable 16 connecting the light assembly 12 and driver board 14. Light assembly 12 comprises an upper generally U-shaped housing shown generally as 18, a lower flange 20, and a pair of legs 22 which connect U-shaped housing 18 to flange 20. U-shaped housing 18 forms a bezel having an upper wall 17, a lower wall (not shown), inner peripheral wall 19 and outer peripheral wall 21. As best seen in Fig. 2, light assembly 12 fits over the card reader with U-shaped housing 18 generally surrounding the keypad area. It will be appreciated that the exact size and shape of light assembly 12 may vary to fit different models of card reader. As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the bezel can be angled relative to the keypad such that U-shaped housing 18 shields the UV light from user’s eyes but does not block the view of the keypad. This shape also improves privacy for a user to enter his/her personal identification number (PIN) or other private information into the keypad.

The system 10 of the present invention disinfects both the keypad and the touch screen or wall of a card reader C using multiple UV lights as will be described more fully hereafter.

As shown in the figures, in particular Figs. 2 and 3, UV light sources 24 and 26 (shown in phantom) are carried by U-shaped housing 18 of light assembly 12. UV light sources 24 and 26 can take many forms, including UV bulbs, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and the like. In a preferred embodiment, UV light sources 24 and 26 are in the form of a UV LED. UV light sources 24 and 26 can emit any UV wavelengths, e.g., UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C. In a preferred embodiment, UV light sources 24 and 26 emit UV-C light, more particularly in wavelengths of from 260 - 275 nm.

UV light source 24 emits UV light through aperture 25 in inner peripheral wall 19 of U-shaped housing 18 such that the UV light is directed toward the keypad K of the card reader C. If desired, multiple UV light sources can be positioned around inner peripheral wall 19. The UV light sources can mounted on the outside of inner peripheral wall 19. Alternatively, and as depicted, the UV light sources may be carried within U-shaped housing 18 such that the UV light shine outward through one or more apertures in inner peripheral wall 19. If desired, reflectors, such as parabolic reflectors well known to those skilled in the art may be employed within housing 18, to direct the UV light in a desired direction through apertures in U-shaped housing 18. Examples of appropriate reflectors are described in US 62/957,979, incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. In any event, the UV light should bathe all the keys and touch surfaces on the key pad.

UV light source 26 emits UV light through aperture 27 in outer peripheral wall 21 of U-shaped housing 18 such that the UV light is directed toward the touch screen / signature pad S of the card reader C. Again, multiple UV light sources and/or reflectors can be employed to ensure the UV light bathes the entire touch screen / signature pad area of the card reader C. Multiple UV light sources may be positioned along one or more sides of outer peripheral wall 21 , for example, to shine UV light on a stylus mounted to the side of card reader C. Again, the UV light sources can be mounted on the outside of outer peripheral wall 21 or, as depicted the UV light sources can be carried within housing 18 to shine light through one or more apertures in outer peripheral wall 21. Reflectors may be used to help direct the light. Fig. 4 depicts one example of the UV light spreads from UV light sources 24 and 26. UV light spread A is from UV light source 24, and UV light spread B is from UV light source 26.

In a preferred embodiment, driver / controller 14 is separate from light assembly 12 and is connected to light assembly 12 via a removable cable 16. Maintaining these parts as separate modular components allows the light assembly 12 to be slim and unobtrusive on the card reader C. Additionally, if the driver / controller 14 fails or is faulty, it can be repaired or replaced without having to disassemble the light assembly 12. It will be understood that driver / controller 14 being modular is a preferred embodiment and that if desired driver / controller 14 can be carried within housing 18.

In a preferred embodiment, the system 10 of the present invention includes a motion sensor 28 and a timer (not shown), both controlled by driver / controller 14. The motion sensor 28 detects motion, e.g., the presence of a user, and controls the UV light sources 24 and 26 in response thereto. The motion sensor can be a passive infrared sensor, capacitive sensor, inductive sensor, infrared sensor, heat or thermo sensor, imager, or the like. Motion sensor 28 monitors the area around at least the keypad K and touchscreen / signature pad S and thus detects the motion from a person using card reader C.

It will be understood that the system may include additional wires, power sources and the like which are not expressly set forth herein but which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In operation, when motion sensor 28 detects motion, e.g., the presence of a user, the UV light sources 24 and 26 are turned off and remain off for the duration of the motion. When the detected motion ceases, the timer begins a delay period, e.g., 60 seconds, before initiating a disinfection cycle. This ensures that the disinfection cycle does not begin when a user is still nearby but not moving, e.g., while the user is reading the screen. If motion is detected during the delay period, the delay period is stopped. When the motion ceases, the delay period restarts from the beginning. If no motion is detected during the delay period, the UV light sources 24 and 26 are turned on for a disinfection cycle of a predetermined length of time, e.g., 5 minutes. After the disinfection cycle is complete, the UV light sources 24 and 26 are turned off again and remain off until motion is detected again. If motion is detected before the disinfection cycle ends, the UV light source is turned off again and when the motion ceases, the delay period begins again.

If desired, the system 10 of the present invention can be programmed to periodically initiate a disinfection cycle even without detected motion. For example, if no motion has been detected for 2 hours, a disinfection cycle is initiated. Thus, the card reader C remains disinfected from airborne bacteria, viruses, and the like.

As shown in the drawings, the light assembly 12 can be positioned relative to the card reader by sliding it over the keypad such that the lower wall (not shown) of the bezel rests on an upper wall of card reader C, and flange 20 extends underneath card reader C. In a preferred embodiment, light assembly 12 is held in place by means well known to those skilled in the art, e.g., using adhesive, hook and loop fabric, clamps, or the like. This will prevent light assembly from slipping off card reader 12. Again, the exact shape and size of the components of light assembly 12 can vary depending on the system to which it is to be attached. System 10 can be retrofitted to work with existing devices. Additionally, the system 10 may be built into a card reader such that it is a permanent piece of the card reader. It will be appreciated that while light assembly 12 is shown generally surrounding the keypad of a card reader, light assembly 12 can also be designed to generally surround the touchscreen / signature pad of a card reader. In such case, UV light source 24 would disinfect the touch screen / signature pad S, while UV light source 26 would disinfect the keypad K. The exact shape and configuration of the lights can vary to suit different card readers.

Turning to Fig. 5, another embodiment of the light assembly of the present invention shown. The only difference between the embodiment of Figs. 1-4 and the embodiment of Fig. 5 is that housing 118 of Fig. 5 is generally L-shaped instead of U-shaped. Additionally, there is only one leg 22 connecting housing 118 to flange 20. Otherwise, the operation of the embodiment of Fig. 5 is the same as that described above with respect to the embodiment of Figs. 1-4. It will also be understood that L-shaped housing 118 can be a mirror image of that depicted in Fig. 5.

It will also be appreciated that while the system 10 of the present invention has been discussed with respect to card readers, it may also be placed on other devices i.e. , kiosks, which incorporate both keypads and touch screens, or other devices in which disinfection in two separate areas is required. The system 10 of the present invention provides many advantages over the prior art. Some prior art systems require the item to be disinfected to be inside a specialized disinfection enclosure. Other prior art systems, such as in US 9,901 ,652, use a UV lamp mounted over the card reader. In order to disinfect all of the touch walls, the lamp must be large enough and/or positioned high enough above the card reader that the beam of UV light covers all the touch walls. Such a system takes up space and is at risk of being jostled or bumped by customers such that the UV light ends up shining in locations other than the card reader. The disinfection system of the present invention is incorporated into a light assembly which fits snugly onto the card reader itself and is thus unobtrusive, yet still disinfects all touch surfaces of the card reader. Thus, the user is able to access the card reader as needed. The motion sensor and timer ensure that the user is not inadvertently exposed to UV light. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of explaining the various aspects of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment shown and described is exemplary, and various other substitutions, alterations and modifications, including but not limited to those design alternatives specifically discussed herein, may be made in the practice of the invention without departing from its scope.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for disinfecting a card reader having a keypad and a touch screen / signature pad, the system comprising: a light assembly positionable on said card reader and having a housing having a bezel, a flange, and at least one leg connecting said housing and said flange, said bezel having an upper wall, a lower wall, an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall; a first UV light source carried by said housing and operative to shine UV light on said keypad; a second UV light source carried by said housing and operative to shine UV light on said touch screen / signature pad; and a controller operative to turn said UV light source on and off.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a motion sensor operative to monitor an area around said light assembly and detect motion in said area; a timer; said controller being operatively connected to said motion sensor and said timer and configured to turn said first and second UV light sources off when motion is detected, and to turn said first and second UV light sources back on when no motion is detected for a predetermined period of time.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said motion sensor is one of passive infrared sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, infrared sensors, heat or thermo sensors, and imagers.

4. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of UV light sources are carried by said housing and operative to shine UV light on said keypad.

5. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of UV light sources are carried by said housing and operative to shine UV light on said touchscreen / signature pad.

6. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said card reader has a stylus mounted thereof, said system further comprising: a third UV light source carried by said housing and operative to shine UV light on said stylus.

7. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said controller is a modular component releasably connectable to said light assembly.

8. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said light assembly is postionable on said card reader such that said lower wall of said housing rests on an upper wall of said card reader, and said flange extends underneath said card reader.

9. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second UV light sources are UV LEDs.

10. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second UV light sources emit UV-C light.

11. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said light assembly is held in place on said card reader by means of adhesive or hook and loop fabric.

12. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said housing is U-shaped.

13. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said housing is L-shaped.