# US 2022/0023463 A1 · Automatic sterilization and charging of wearable device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0023463 A1 - Document ID: US20220023463A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/277,022 - Filed: 2019-09-30 - Published: 2022-01-27 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-10 - Assignees: Thirdwayv, Inc. - Applicants: Thirdwayv, Inc. - Inventors: Andrew Lentvorski; James Kamke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220023463A1 ## CPC - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - H04B 1/385: {Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets} - A61B 5/6801: {specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface} - A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation - H02J 50/80: involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices - H04B 1/3877: Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters - H04B 1/3883: Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers - A61L 2202/122: Chambers for sterilisation - H04B 2001/3855: {carried in a belt or harness} - H04B 2001/3861: {carried in a hand or on fingers} - H04M 1/17: Hygienic or sanitary devices on telephone equipment (for mouthpieces or earpieces H04R1/12) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - H04B: TRANSMISSION - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for sterilizing and charging a wearable device. The sterilizing and charging apparatus includes one or more light sources. The one or more light sources are configured to detect or sterilize the wearable device. The sterilizing and charging apparatus includes a wireless charging device. The wireless charging device is configured to charge the wearable device. The sterilization and charging apparatus includes a controller coupled to the one or more light sources and the wireless charging device. The controller is configured to determine, using the one or more light sources, that the wearable device is within an enclosure. The controller is configured to sterilize the wearable device using the one or more light sources and/or wirelessly charge the wearable device using the wireless charging device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for sterilizing and charging a wearable device, comprising: one or more light sources configured to detect or sterilize the wearable device; a wireless charging device configured to charge the wearable device; and a controller coupled to the one or more light sources and the wireless charging device and configured to: determine, using the one or more light sources, that the wearable device is within an enclosure, and sterilize the wearable device using the one or more light sources, or wirelessly charge the wearable device using the wireless charging device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more light sources include an ultraviolet (UV) light source that is configured to emit UV rays to sterilize the wearable device, wherein the UV rays are directed at the wearable device from a plurality of directions, wherein the UV rays are either continuous or time-varied. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control or adjust a level of power or intensity of the one or more light sources or a level of power of the wireless charging device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a memory configured to store a profile for each category of a plurality of categories of different wearable devices, wherein the profile indicates a level of power or intensity for the one or more light sources or a level of power of the wireless charging device; wherein the controller is configured to: determine light characteristics of the wearable device using the one or more light sources, determine a category associated with the wearable device based on the light characteristics, and sterilize or wirelessly charge the wearable device based on the profile. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a display configured to display status information related to sterilization, charging or data communication with the wearable device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a power source for providing power, wherein the wireless charging device is a wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits a wireless charging signal, wherein to wirelessly charge the wearable device the controller is configured: determine a level of power of the wireless charging signal; determine a direction of the wireless charging signal; and emit the wirelessly charging signal to wirelessly charge a battery of the wearable device or operate the wearable device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein to determine the direction of the wireless charging signal, the wireless transmitter is configured to emit the wireless charging signal so that the wireless charging signal surrounds the wearable device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: connect with the wearable device; download data from a memory of the wearable device; reset or erase the memory of the wearable device; and provide or transmit the downloaded data to at least one of a personal device, a server or a remote storage via a wireless or wired connection. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more light sources are configured to detect and sterilize the wearable device, wherein the controller is configured to: determine a baseline level of an ultraviolet signal within the enclosure; determine a current level of the ultraviolet signal within the enclosure; and determine that the wearable device is within the enclosure when the current level is different than the baseline level clue to interference within the enclosure from introduction of the wearable device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of light detectors, wherein the plurality of light sources or the plurality of light detectors are positioned around and within a cavity of the enclosure to surround the wearable device to optimize exposure of the wearable device to emitted light. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more light sources emit an ultraviolet light, radio frequency or visible light and emit different levels of intensities of the ultraviolent light, the radio frequency or the visible light when detecting the wearable device and when sterilizing the wearable device. ### Claim 12 A system, comprising: an enclosure configured to surround or enclose a wearable device and having a plurality of walls with a coating that reflects, refracts or redirects light; one or more light sources configured to emit the light to detect or sterilize the wearable device; a wireless charging device configured to charge the wearable device; and a controller coupled to the one or more light sources and the wireless charging device and configured to: determine, using the one or more light sources, that the wearable device is within the enclosure, and sterilize the wearable device using the one or more light sources, or wirelessly charge the wearable device using the wireless charging device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, further comprising: a network access device or communication device configured to communicate with the device, wherein to wirelessly charge the wearable device, the controller is configured to: establish a communication channel with the wearable device, and wirelessly charge the wearable device using the communication channel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the communication channel uses near field communication or Bluetooth. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the wearable device is a body networked device, wherein the body networked device is one of a drug or treatment delivery device, a sensor, a communication gateway, an insulin pump, a blood pressure meter, a glucose meter, a heart rate monitor, a pulse oximeter, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, an orthopedic brace or manipulation device, or a dental brace or other orthodontic brace or device. ### Claim 16 A method for sterilizing or charging a device, comprising: detecting a device within an enclosure using a light having a first intensity from a light source; sterilizing the device using the light with a second intensity from the light source; and wirelessly charging the device using a wireless charging signal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the first intensity and the second intensity are different levels of light intensity. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising: determining the second intensity of the light based on a category or type of the device; and adjusting the first intensity of the light to the second intensity before sterilization. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein detecting the device within the enclosure includes: determine a baseline level of an ultraviolet signal within the enclosure; determine a current level of the ultraviolet signal within the enclosure; and detecting the device within the enclosure when the current level is different than the baseline level due to interference within the enclosure from introduction of the device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising: downloading data from a memory of the device; resetting or erasing the memory of the device; and providing or transmitting the downloaded data to at least one of a personal device, a server or a remote storage via a wireless or wired connection.