Keyboard cleaning system

Abstract

A system for directing and compelling cleaning of the keys of the keyboard by a user carrying out a wipe-down process by detecting the keys as they are pressed during wipe-down, and analyzing the key depression data to determine the thoroughness and completeness of the cleaning cycle.

1 . In a computer system that includes an alphanumeric keyboard and a display, a system for directing cleaning of the keys of the keyboard by a person carrying out a wipe-down process, including:
 initiating a cleaning cycle and showing a cleaning indicator on said display;   monitoring key presses on the keyboard caused by said wipe-down process to determine which keys have been wiped and cleaned;   indicating on said display the keys of the keyboard that have not been pressed and require the person to apply the wipe-down process;   determining when a predetermined number of keys of the keyboard have been pressed during the wipe-down process to calculate when the cleaning cycle is complete.   
     
     
         2 . The keyboard cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the step of initiating a cleaning cycle includes providing a pushbutton on said keyboard that starts the cleaning cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The keyboard cleaning system of  claim 1 , further including the step of recording data regarding each cleaning cycle on the computer. 
     
     
         4 . The keyboard cleaning system of  claim 3 , wherein said data includes the time and date of each cleaning cycle, and the identification of the user person during each cleaning cycle. 
     
     
         5 . The keyboard cleaning system of  claim 3 , wherein said data includes whether each cleaning cycle was carried out to completion. 
     
     
         6 . The keyboard cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the keyboard comprises an image of a keyboard on a touchscreen display. 
     
     
         7 . The keyboard cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the step of initiating a cleaning cycle includes establishing a calendar reminder for conducting a cleaning cycle. 
     
     
         8 . The keyboard cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the step of initiating a cleaning cycle includes counting the total elapsed time that the keyboard has been used since a previous cleaning cycle. 
     
     
         9 . The keyboard cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the step of initiating a cleaning cycle includes counting the total number of users of the keyboard since a previous cleaning cycle. 
     
     
         10 . In a computer system that includes an alphanumeric keyboard and a display, a system for compelling cleaning of the keys of the keyboard by a logged-in user carrying out a wipe-down cleaning cycle, including:
 displaying a cleaning message to the logged-in user that a cleaning cycle is required;   monitoring key press events on the keyboard caused by the wipe-down process to determine which keys have been wiped and cleaned to determine completeness of the cleaning cycle;   indicating on said display the keys of the keyboard that have not been pressed and require the user to apply the wipe-down process; storing the key press events data and the logged-in user identification data, and   reporting the cleaning cycle results.   
     
     
         11 . The system for compelling cleaning the keyboard keys of  claim 10 , further including the step of incentivizing compliance with said cleaning message through positive reinforcement messages to the responsible individual for cleaning cycle completion, and sanctions for ignoring a cleaning message or failing to complete the cleaning cycle. 
     
     
         12 . The keyboard cleaning system of  claim 1  further including a graphic depiction of a timer that sets a dwell period to be observed to allow cleaning compounds of the wipe-down process sufficient time to adequately disinfect the keyboard.