Microsoft develops its solution to dirty touchscreens

With more people using mobile devices—including in toilets and bathrooms—dirty touchscreens may become a growing concern, and Microsoft presents its cure.

 

A Microsoft patent promises to disinfect touchscreens using ultraviolet light, a patent-oriented site said.

 

"When a user touches the screen, some UV light exits the transparent film at points of contact, to disinfect fingertips and immediate surrounding areas through the frustrated total internal reflection effect," PatentYogi said in a YouTube post.

 

"This technology will help reduce infections such as flu, conjunctivitis and diarrhea, especially among the young," it added.

 

Under the patent, a UV light transparent film is secured onto a touch screen, and "UV light is emitted from a UV light source into an edge of the transparent film to transfer the UV light through the transparent film, while remaining in the transparent film through total internal reflection effect."

 

"Would be really nice if Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation promotes quick adoption of this technology across the globe," PatentYogi said.  — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News