Systems and methods for monitoring surface sanitation

A method of operation within a computing device having a touch-sensitive surface populated by an array of sensors, the method comprising:

• generating first and second touch-indicative signals within a first sensor of the array in response to respective first and second user contacts with the touch-sensitive surface;
• interpreting the first user contact as a user input with respect to an image rendered on a display of the computing device and revising the image rendered on the display in response;
• interpreting the second user contact as a cleaning action with respect to the touch-sensitive surface based, at least in part, on the second touch-indicative signal and revising a value indicative of a contamination level of the touch-sensitive surface in response;
• and
• suspending operation of the keyboard during the cleaning action.

A computing device comprising:

• a touch-sensitive surface populated by an array of sensors;
• a display;
• means for generating first and second touch-indicative signals within a first sensor of the array in response to respective first and second user contacts with the touch-sensitive surface;
• means for interpreting the first user contact as a user input with respect to an image rendered on a display of the computing device and revising the image rendered on the display in response, and further for interpreting the second user contact as a wiping motion indicative of a cleaning action with respect to the touch-sensitive surface based, at least in part, on the second touch-indicative signal;
• and
• a means for suspending operation of the touch-sensitive surface during the cleaning action.