Method and system for reducing microbes on a portable electronic device

Abstract

A system (11) for reducing microbes such as bacteria or germs on a portable electronic device (10) can include a portable communication device having a sensor (32) for detecting a condition of the portable communication device and a light source (30) selectively activated for germicidal reduction based on the condition. The condition can include a charging status for the portable communication device or a position for a flip on the portable electronic device, or any number of other operating or environmental conditions. The light source can be an ultra-violet light source such as a UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light emitting diode. The system can optionally include a charging base (34) having a light source (36) such that the source operates as a anti-bacterial light source when the portable electronic device is being charged.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.