Device for surface disinfection of the input field of card readers for credit cards, subscriptions and payment cards of all kinds

1 . A device for the surface disinfection of card readers with system comprising:

a card reader having an input field, a communication display and a receiving slot for credit cards, subscriptions and payment cards of all kinds to be inserted; and

a device for the surface disinfection of the card reader, the device comprising a UVC lamp by which an entire input field of the card reader is directly irradiatable for disinfection; and

a movable housing with the UVC lamp installed therein,

wherein the housing is designed as a hollow cover, in an interior of which the UVC lamp is installed, for direct irradiation of the input field of the card reader,

wherein the housing is pivotably mounted on a housing of the card reader and is biased by a spring toward an open position in which the input field is released, and can be pivoted manually against the spring force into closed position in which the housing covers the input field and is latched or snapped on the card reader or otherwise held in the closed position,

wherein the device further comprises an electronic circuit and a control light provided on the housing, the electronic circuit being configured such that:

when the housing is in the closed position, the control light lights up red and a disinfection cycle with operation of the UVC lamp is started;

after completion of the disinfection cycle and only after such completion, when a card is inserted into the receiving slot of the card reader, the electronic circuit unlocks the latched, snapped-in or otherwise held housing so that the spring automatically pivots the housing into the open position, the control light changes to green, and the input field is released for operation by a user; and

when the card is pulled out of the receiving slot of the card reader, the electronic circuit switches the control light back to red, deactivates the input field and allows the housing to be pivoted manually against the spring force back into the closed position in which a new disinfection cycle is started, and after completion of the new disinfection cycle the electronic circuit switches the control light again to green.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is designed as the hollow cover pivotably mounted on the card reader and is additionally swingable by an electric motor, and wherein the device further comprises the electronic circuit of claim 1 configured such that:

when the housing is in the closed position or swung down, the control light lights up red and a disinfection cycle begins;

after a disinfection cycle has been completed and the control lamp has changed to green, when a card is inserted into the card reader, the electronic circuit drives the electric motor to swing open the housing into the open position and releases the input field;

when the card is pulled out of the card reader, the electronic circuit switches the control light to red, makes the input field inactive and drives the electric motor to swing down the housing into the closed position, in which the electronic circuit starts a new disinfection cycle; and

the electric motor is controlled by limit switches that stop the electric motor in defined end positions of the housing.

3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the device is designed as an adapter, for retrofitting an existing card reader, the device comprising a pedestal with a rechargeable battery and the electronic circuit, and wherein the card reader can be placed on the pedestal in a snap-in or firmly adhering manner.

4 . The system according to claim 3 , wherein a part of the pedestal in front of the receiving slot of the attached card reader forms an upper lip and a lower lip between which a card can be inserted into the card reader, wherein the upper and lower lips are traversed by a light barrier belonging to the adapter, and wherein, when the light barrier is interrupted by the card, the housing, which can be swiveled shut manually against the spring force or by means of the electric motor, is held in the closed position during a disinfection cycle and, after completion of the disinfection cycle and insertion of a new card, the housing is swung open by the electric motor or by force of the previously tensioned spring to release the input field for payment with the new card.

5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein a number of persons waiting in front of the card reader and/or a frequency of card payments made is detected at a central system unit to which the device is connected, and wherein a duration of irradiation intervals of the disinfection cycle is adjustable depending on the detected number of persons and/or the payment frequency.

6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein changes in settings of the device can be entered via a cable, wirelessly via a central system unit, or directly on the device itself.