Patent Publication Number: US-2022233735-A1

Title: Card distribution and sanitizing apparatus using ultraviolet irradiation

Description:
FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein generally relate to a card distribution apparatus and, in particular, to systems, methods, and components for sanitizing cards using ultraviolet light irradiation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cards are ordinarily provided to players for use in a card game, such as poker, bridge, or blackjack. Dealing shoes, otherwise known as card shoes, may be used to hold one or multiple decks, or sets, of cards and individual, or sets of, cards may be distributed to players during the course of a card game. After distribution, cards are typically picked up or otherwise touched by players. Once the card game, or a portion of the card game, is completed, used cards may be returned to a dealer who may shuffle and return the used cards to the dealing shoe or directly to the players. The same cards, therefore, may be distributed many times to many different players over the course of one or multiple card games. 
     As with any physical item that may be in contact with multiple people, contaminants may be present on the surface of the cards. Accordingly, there may be a risk that contaminants may be transferred between players and dealers. The systems and techniques described herein may be used to reduce the presence of various contaminants by using ultraviolet irradiation. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments described herein, a card distribution and sanitization apparatus for disinfecting a set of cards may be provided. The apparatus may comprise a power supply and an enclosure. The enclosure may define an interior cavity configured to support the set of cards and may comprise a front wall defining a gap configured to allow a card of the set of cards to be removed from the interior cavity. A card sanitizing stack-up coupled to the enclosure may additionally be provided. The card sanitizing stack-up may define an outlet configured to receive the card of the set of cards after the card passes through the gap. The card sanitizing stack-up may comprise a first light-emitter operably coupled to the power supply and configured to emit light toward a first side of the card as the card moves through the outlet, a first optical diffuser coupled to the first light-emitter and configured to distribute light emitted from the first light-emitter to the first side of the card, a second light-emitter separated from the first light-emitter by at least the outlet and operably coupled to the power supply. The second light-emitter may be configured to emit light toward a second side of the card as the card moves through the outlet, the second side of the card opposite from the first side of the card. The card sanitizing stack-up may additionally comprise a second optical diffuser coupled to the second light-emitter and configured to distribute light emitted from the second light-emitter to the second side of the card. The card distribution and sanitization apparatus may additionally comprise a controller operably coupled to the power supply and configured to control the first light-emitter and the second light-emitter to disinfect both the first side and the second side of the card as the card passes through the outlet. 
     The enclosure may comprise a base plate, a first side wall extending from a first end of the base plate, and a second side wall extending from a second end of the base plate, the first end opposite from the second end. The front wall may be coupled to the first side wall and the second side wall. The base plate, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the front wall may define the interior cavity. The base plate may be coupled to the card sanitizing stack-up outside of the interior cavity. 
     Light emitted by both the first light-emitter and the second light-emitter may have a wavelength between 200 nm and 290 nm. The controller may be configured to operate the first light-emitter and the second light-emitter at a duration to cause at least a portion of microorganisms present on a surface of the card to be ruptured. 
     At least one of the first optical diffuser or the second optical diffuser may physically guide the card as the card passes through the outlet, such that the card is in contact with the at least one of the first optical diffuser or the second optical diffuser. A proximity sensor configured to detect a presence of the card at the outlet may additionally be provided. 
     The controller may direct at least one of the first light-emitter or the second light-emitter to begin emitting light after the proximity sensor detects the presence of the card at the outlet. The controller may increase an intensity of at least one of the first light-emitter or the second light-emitter after the proximity sensor detects the presence of the card at the outlet. 
     A card distribution and sanitization apparatus may comprise a housing defining an interior cavity configured to support a set of cards and an outlet for a card of the set of cards to pass through, the outlet positioned at a front portion of the housing. The card distribution and sanitization apparatus may additionally comprise a light-emitting stack-up positioned proximate to the outlet and defining an inlet for receiving the card. The light-emitting stack-up may comprise a first light-emitter configured to emit light toward the card as the card passes through the light-emitting stack-up and a second light-emitter configured to emit light toward the card as the card passes through the light-emitting stack-up. The first light-emitter and the second light-emitter may be separated by a passage of the light-emitting stack-up. The card distribution and sanitization apparatus may additionally comprise a controller operatively coupled to the first light-emitter and the second light-emitter and configured to operate the first light-emitter and the second light-emitter to administer a dosage of UV light toward the card causing at least a partial sanitization of a surface of the card. 
     At least one of the first light-emitter or the second light-emitter may be an elongated light-emitter. In some cases, the elongated light-emitter may be a light-emitting strip, the light-emitting strip comprising a number of light-emitting diode elements. In additional or alternate cases, the elongated light-emitter may be an ultraviolet light-emitting tube. 
     The card distribution and sanitization apparatus may further comprise a third light-emitter coupled to an internal wall of the housing. The third light-emitter may be configured to emit UV light onto the set of cards within the internal cavity. 
     The card distribution and sanitization apparatus may further comprise a friction strip coupled to the internal wall of the housing. The friction strip may be configured to separate successive cards of the set of cards. 
     The housing may further comprise a lid and the controller may cause the first light-emitter and the second-light emitter to stop emitting light when the lid is opened. 
     The light-emitter may administer a dosage of UV light of at least 40 mJ/cm 2 . The card distribution and sanitization apparatus may comprise a proximity sensor and the controller may operate the first light-emitter and the second light-emitter to administer the dosage of UV light toward the card in response to the proximity sensor detecting the card. 
     A card distribution and sanitization apparatus may comprise a housing defining an interior cavity configured to support a set of cards and a gap for a card of the set of cards to pass through, the gap positioned at a front portion of the housing. The card distribution and sanitization apparatus may further comprise a light-emitting stack-up positioned proximate to the gap and configured to receive the card after the card passes through the gap. The light-emitting stack-up may define an inlet and a passage and the light-emitting stack-up may comprise a pair of light-emitters positioned on opposing sides of the passage and configured to emit ultraviolet light toward the card. 
     The pair of light-emitters may be configured to emit ultraviolet-C light toward a respective card of the set of cards as the respective card passes through the passage. The pair of light-emitters may be configured to administer a dosage of ultraviolet light of at least 40 mJ/cm 2 . 
     The card distribution and sanitization apparatus may further comprise an optical detector configured to measure a dosage value of ultraviolet light emitted from the pair of light-emitters and a controller configured to determine whether the dosage value meets or surpasses a threshold value and direct the pair of light-emitters to stop emitting ultraviolet light when the dosage value meets or surpasses the threshold value. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, they are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical features that are common to the figures. 
         FIG. 1  depicts an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus including multiple light-emitting elements, as described herein. 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus including multiple light-emitting elements, as described herein. 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus, including multiple light-emitting elements and a set of cards, as described herein. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus including a light-emitting stack-up defining an outlet and a passage, as described herein. 
         FIG. 4A  depicts a cross-sectional view of a light-emitting stack-up defining an outlet and a passage of an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus, as described herein. 
         FIG. 4B  depicts the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4A  while a card of a set of cards passes through an outlet and a passage of an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus, as described herein. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus including a light-emitting stack-up having an elongated length, as described herein. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus integrated into a table including a surface for a card game, as described herein. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a flowchart for a process for initiating and stopping the emission of ultraviolet light based on the state of a lid of an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus, as described herein. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a flowchart for a process for initiating and stopping the emission of ultraviolet light based on a detection of a presence of a card at an outlet of an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus, as described herein. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a block diagram of electrical systems of an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus, as described herein. 
     
    
    
     The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments described herein are generally directed to card distribution apparatuses and systems and methods for sanitizing cards held within card distribution apparatuses. Such card distribution apparatuses may use one or a number of ultraviolet light-emitters to emit ultraviolet light toward one card or a set of cards during a sanitization process (also referred to herein as “ultraviolet irradiation”). In a non-limiting example, a card distribution apparatus may include a base, a front wall, and a number of side walls connected to the base plate to define an interior cavity. Cards may be placed within the interior cavity and may be distributed or dealt to a player through a gap between the front wall and the base. Ultraviolet (“UV”) light may be emitted within the interior cavity and/or near the gap to sanitize cards as they are held in the interior cavity and/or are distributed. 
     In some embodiments, a card distribution apparatus may be coupled to a power supply and may include one or a number of light-emitters operatively coupled to the power supply. The light-emitters may emit ultraviolet light (e.g., UV-C/Far-UV light) with a wavelength between 200 nm and 290 nm toward, near, or within portions of a card distribution apparatus. 
     Ultraviolet light, particularly UV-C light, may inactivate the reproduction of organic material by being absorbed by and denaturing proteins in DNA or RNA (e.g., thymine bases in DNA or RNA). In some instances, UV-C light may lead to a rupture of cellular walls and may directly kill, or otherwise destroy, microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV,  Escherichia coli , and so on). In particular, microorganisms may be present on the surface of one or a number of cards within a deck of cards after being touched by players who are carriers of the particular microorganisms. 
     To properly destroy, deactivate, or otherwise harm the reproduction of microorganisms, a proper UV-C dosage may be required. As used herein, a dosage may additionally be referenced as an irradiation level. As used herein, dosage is calculated as: Dose=Intensity (I)×Exposure Time(t). Different microorganisms may typically require different dosages for sufficient destruction or deactivation, but a sufficiently high dose may destroy or deactivate a vast majority of harmful microorganisms. This sufficiently high dose may be reference herein as a “threshold dosage.” Likewise, a “threshold time” may refer to a period of time that results in a threshold dosage given a constant intensity and a “threshold intensity” may refer to an intensity value that results in a threshold dosage given a constant exposure time. In some embodiments a threshold dosage may be from about 10 mJ/cm 2  to about 500 mJ/cm 2 . In some embodiments, a threshold dosage may be about 40 mJ/cm 2 , though other values may additionally be used. As used herein, the term “about” may be used to refer to a difference of +/−10% with respect to the given value. 
     In some embodiments, an intensity value of UV-C light may be limited by, for example, longevity or power concerns for the associated apparatus particularly when powered by one or multiple batteries. Systems of the present disclosure may account for light intensity limitations by increasing an exposure time and/or by initiating successive bursts of UV-C light over a time period. 
     In some embodiments, a card distribution apparatus may include a number of ultraviolet diode strips coupled along interior surfaces of a card distribution apparatus. In a non-limiting example, an ultraviolet diode strip may be affixed to each internal surface including an internal side of a top cover, an internal side of a first side wall, an internal side of a second side wall, and an internal side of a base. Each ultraviolet diode strip may be electrically connected in series, such that each ultraviolet diode is turned on or off synchronously with other ultraviolet diodes in the strip, or may be electrically connected in parallel so that each ultraviolet diode may be individually controlled and/or operated. In some embodiments, each ultraviolet diode strip may be positioned behind a light transmissive wall or a barrier layer in order to prevent direct contact with cards stored in a card distribution apparatus and/or to scatter light emitted from each ultraviolet diode strip. 
     In alternate or additional embodiments, a card distribution apparatus may include a card sanitizing stack-up coupled to a base plate and defining an outlet. An example card sanitizing stack-up may include first and second light-emitters and first and second optical diffusers to distribute emitted light. The first light-emitter and first optical diffuser may be separated from the second light-emitter and the second optical diffuser by a passage. A proximity sensor may be provided proximate to the outlet and may be configured to detect when a card is moving through the passage. Once a card is detected, the first and second light-emitters may be turned on and may stay on for a predetermined time period. 
     In some embodiments, an array or distribution of protrusions or other features may be disposed within internal surfaces of a card distribution apparatus (also referred to herein as “separation features”). The protrusions may be placed in order to separate successive cards from contacting each other so as to allow more UV-C light to reach otherwise hidden surfaces. Instead of, or in addition to, such protrusions, a friction strip may be provided to similarly separate successive cards of a set of cards. A card distribution apparatus may additionally include features such as automatic shut-off switches to minimize UV-C light from leaking into an external environment when a cover of the card distribution apparatus is opened and/or to shut-off when a certain level of heat is detected. 
     As used herein “cards” may refer to playing cards which may be marked with distinguishing symbols and may be made from paper, card stock, plastic, and so on. For example, cards may include colors (e.g., black and red), numbers, symbols (e.g., spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds), a front face (e.g., a face depicting a number and symbol), and a back face (e.g., a uniform pattern identical to the back face of other cards in the deck). Such cards may additionally be referred to as “playing cards.” A card may be part of a set or deck, referred to as, for example, a “deck of cards” or a “deck of playing cards,” which may consist of, in a non-limiting example, 52 cards of varying symbols and numbers. The term “cards” may also refer to any piece of cardstock, plastic, paper, cardboard, and so on. 
     In accordance with the provided disclosure, a card distribution apparatus may be configured to hold one or a number of decks, or any subset thereof. In some embodiments, one deck of cards (e.g., about 52 cards) may be disposed in a card distribution apparatus. In some embodiments, multiple decks of cards may be disposed in a card distribution apparatus. In some cases, sets of cards may be less than 52 cards. The particular dimensions of any card distribution apparatus in accordance with the provided disclosure may be varied in accordance with desired capacity. 
     A light-emitter may refer to light-emitting diodes, elongated lamps, light-emitting tubes, incandescent bulbs, bulb-shaped light-emitters, any combination thereof, and so on. Any light-emitter, and associated structures including sleeves (e.g., quartz sleeves), mercury drops, insulating material, and so on, that may emit ultraviolet light having a wavelength between about 10 nm and about 400 nm may be used in accordance with the provided disclosure. More particularly, UV-C light having a wavelength of about 200 nm and about 290 nm may be used. As described above, the term “about” may refer to a value of +/−10% with respect to the given value. 
     The discussion herein with respect to card distribution and sanitization apparatuses relate more generally to ultraviolet and UV-C sanitization for cards. These and other embodiments are discussed with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100  including a number of light-emitting strips  112  coupled to internal surfaces of the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100 . The card distribution and sanitization apparatus may further include an enclosure  102  defining a base and a number of side walls, a wedge  104 , a lid  106 , a front wall  108 , a power supply  110 , and a switch  114 . The number of light-emitting strips  112  may comprise a number of resistors, light-emitters  116 , and other electronic components, including electrically conductive traces and so on. In some embodiments, a friction strip  113  may be provided, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     The enclosure  102  may include a lid  106 . The lid  106  may be pivotally coupled to the enclosure  102  and may be opened or closed by a user. In some embodiments, the lid  106  may be operatively coupled to, for example, an electric motor and may open and close due to power obtained from the electric motor. In some embodiments, a light-emitting strip  112  and one or a number of light-emitters  116  may be coupled to the lid  106 . In some embodiments, the enclosure  102  (including side walls and the base plate) and/or the lid  106  may include a number of protrusions or separations features that extend from the enclosure  102  and interact with a cards disposed within the enclosure  102 . These separation features may prevent successive cards from coming into contact with each other and may allow the light-emitting strip  112  to direct ultraviolet light onto a front- or back-face of a cart. The separation features may be disposed along any surface and in any number and may separate all cards or some cards. The separation features may be formed of, for example, a plastic, a metal, a wood, and so on. The separation features may be forms as a bump or may be formed as any lengthened shape designed to separate stacked cards. In some cases, the friction strip  113  may act as a separation feature. 
     In some embodiments, the lid  106  may comprise a number of layers. For example, one layer may be an opaque layer made of metal or wood and another layer may be a light transmissive layer  119  made of glass or transparent plastic. In some embodiments, the light-emitting strip  112  may be positioned in between the layers. The light transmissive layer  119  may be formed as an inside layer and the opaque layer may be formed as an outside layer, so that light emitted from the light-emitting strip  112  may illuminate an interior cavity. In some embodiments, the light transmissive layer  119  may act as a diffusing layer and may diffuse light emitted from the light-emitting strip  112 . In some embodiments, both the inside and the outside layer may be transparent (e.g., formed of a glass and/or a transparent plastic) so that a user may visually see the contents of the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100  even while closed. The examples listed above a merely explanatory and are not intended to be limiting. The lid  106  may include any number of layers formed of any material including plastic, metal, wood, glass, any combination thereof, and so on. The above disclosure may also be applied to side walls or the base of the enclosure  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the light transmissive layer  119  may be a light transmissive optical diffuser and may diffuse or scatter light emitted from the light-emitting strip  112 . The light transmissive optical diffuser may also be configured to filter the emitted light so that, for example, only light in the UV-C spectrum reaches the interior cavity. The light-transmissive layer  119  may include components or features that diffuse light emitted from the light-emitting strip  112  to produce a more uniform light irradiation along the inner surface of the enclosure  102 . In some cases, the light-transmissive layer  119  may include a surface texture, surface features, or other similar features that help to distribute the light produced from the light source. In some cases, the layer may include features that define a Fresnel lens or lenticular lensing features that can be used to improve the uniformity of the light irradiation. For example, optical lenses and/or diffusing layers may be used to ensure that the emitted ultraviolet light intensity is consistent throughout the interior cavity, so as to avoid hot-spots or cold-spots that would receive too much or too little light. Light-transmissive layers  119  may additionally be disposed on the lid  106  and/or on a base of the disclosure  102 . 
     The wedge  104  may be positioned within the interior cavity of the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100 . The wedge  104  may be include a wheel or roller and may be configured to roll along the base plate of the enclosure  102 . In some embodiments, the enclosure  102  may include a track (e.g., grooves) on a base plate and grooves on the wedge  104  may interact with the track so that the wedge  104  is slide-ably coupled with the enclosure  102 . 
     The wedge  104  may be configured to receive a deck (or set) of cards and may include a top surface presented at an angle. The angle of the top surface of the wedge  104  may be substantially equivalent to the angle of the front wall  108 . In alternate embodiments, the angle of the top surface of the wedge  104  may be steeper or shallower than an angle of the front wall  108 . The wedge  104  may include biasing elements, such as a spring, to bias the wedge  104  forward. When a set of cards is provided on the wedge  104 , the wedge  104  may be forward-biased so that the forward-most card abuts or is otherwise proximate to the front wall  108 . When no cards are present on the wedge  104 , the wedge  104  itself may abut or be otherwise proximate to the front wall  108 . In some embodiments, the wedge  104  may be operatively coupled to a lever or wheel that that a user may manually control a position of the wedge  104  with respect to the front wall  108 . In some embodiments, the wedge  104  may be operatively coupled to the battery  110  and/or an electric motor and may be mechanically moveable. The wedge  104  may be formed from any material such as a wood, a plastic, a metal, a glass, any combination thereof, and so on. 
     The front wall  108  may define a gap between the front wall  108  and the enclosure  102  so as to allow a card or number of cards to pass through. The gap may be referenced as an outlet and may define a space where a card moves from inside an interior cavity defined by the enclosure  102  to outside the interior cavity. The front wall  108  may additionally include a u-shaped portion (or another shaped portion) so that a user&#39;s finger may interact with a surface of a forward-most card positioned on the wedge  104  so that the card may be removed from the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100 . The front wall  108  may be formed from any material such as a wood, a plastic, a metal, a glass, any combination thereof, and so on. 
     The light-emitting strips  112  may include light-emitters  116 , such as light-emitting diodes (LED) that transmit UV-C light having a wavelength between 200 nm and 290 nm. The LEDs may be LED chips and may be coupled to a flexible or rigid printed circuit board including resistors, electrical traces, transistors, and other electronic components. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , three or four light-emitters  116  are provided on each light-emitting strip  112 , through any number of light-emitters  116  may be provided. In some embodiments, the light-emitting strips  112  include different light-emitters emitting distinct wavelengths. For example, some light-emitters may emit visible light for user visibility while others may emit UV-C light for sanitizing cards. 
     The light-emitting strips  112  may all be disposed at the same angle (e.g., about 90 degrees with respect to the mounting surface) or may be disposed at different angles with respect to the mounting surface. For example, a light-emitting strip  112  may include four light-emitters  116 . One light-emitter  116  may be disposed to emit light at an angle of about 15 degrees, a second light-emitter  116  may emit light at an angle of about 35 degrees, a third light-emitter may emit light at an angle of about 55 degrees, and a fourth light-emitter may emit light at an angle of about 75 degrees. In this way, nooks and crevices within the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100  may be irradiated by light with a variety of incident angles. In some embodiments, two center light-emitters  116  may be disposed at an angle of about 90 degrees and two end light-emitters  116  may be disposed at angles of +/−about 35 degrees. The presented angles are merely for illustrative purposes and any angle of a light-emitter  116  or light-emitting strip  112  may be used. 
     In some embodiments, the light-emitting strips  112  may be coupled to circuitry including a timer circuit. The timer circuit may control how long the light-emitting strips  112  emit light and may automatically turn off one or a number of the light-emitting strips  112  (or LEDs thereof) when a predetermined time has passed. For example, the timer circuit may be operatively coupled to, or integrated within, a controller and may establish an exposure time where ultraviolet light irradiates an interior cavity of the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100 . The exposure time may be determined based on an intensity of the emitted ultraviolet light to result in a dosage of from about 15 mJ/cm 2  to 500 mJ/cm 2  or about 40 mJ/cm 2 . In some embodiments, an exposure time may be multiple minutes such as, for example, about 5 minutes. In some embodiments, an exposure time may be from about 10 seconds to about 45 seconds. Once the ultraviolet light has been emitted for the length of the exposure time, the timer circuit and/or controller may shut down or otherwise prevent the light-emitting strips  112  from emitting light. 
     In an example operation, a dealer may place a number of cards into the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100 . Once the dealer closes the lid  106 , a controller may direct the light-emitting strips  112  to begin emitting light for a period of time (e.g., a predetermined time corresponding to an exposure time). Once the period of time has passed, the controller may direct the light-emitting strips  112  to stop emitting light. Thereafter, cards may be distributed via the front wall  108 . Whenever the lid  106  is reopened and closed, the operation may be reset and the controller may direct the light-emitting strips  112  to again emit light for a period of time. In addition, the switch  114  may permit the dealer or other user to manually turn on or off the light-emitting strips  112 . In some embodiments, an external application (e.g., a smartphone app) may be able to wireless control operations of the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100 . 
     In some embodiments, a proximity sensor and/or heat sensor may act with a controller to turn on or off the light-emitting strips  112  (or LEDs thereof). In some embodiments, the light-emitting strips  112  may be an elongated tube or a bulb and may emit UV-C light via incandescent and/or LED light. As provided herein, an elongated light-emitter may refer to an elongated tube or bulb formed as an integral component. In such cases, the elongated light-emitter may be a single light-emitter. In some cases, the elongated light-emitter may refer to a group of multiple light-emitting elements (e.g., LEDs) arranged in a strip. In such cases, the elongated light-emitter may comprise a transparent housing configured to contain the multiple light-emitting elements. 
     A power supply  110  may be coupled to a back portion of the enclosure  102  and may be operatively coupled to each of the light-emitting strips  112  via electrical connectors. The electrical connectors may be conductive wires or other electrically transmissive element or combination of elements and may transmit power from the power supply  110  to each of the light-emitting strips  112 . A switch  114  may be provided on the power supply  100  to turn the power supply  110  on or off (e.g., transmitting power or not transmitting power). The switch  114  may have two different states, an extended state when power is not being transmitted and a depressed state when power is being transmitted. In some embodiments, the switch  114  may be a lever and may indicate an activated state when positioned to one side and an inactivated state when positioned to an opposite side. 
     The power supply  110  may also include a battery that is configured to provide electrical power. The battery may include one or more power storage cells that are linked together to provide an internal supply of electrical power. The battery may be operatively coupled to power management circuitry that is configured to provide appropriate voltage and power levels for individual components or groups of components within card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100 . The battery, via power management circuitry, may be configured to receive power from an external source, such as an AC power outlet, and may include AC/DC conversion circuitry (e.g., an AC/DC converter). The battery may store received power so that the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100  may operate without connection to an external power source for an extended period of time, which may range from several hours to several days. 
     A controller may additionally be operatively coupled to, for example, the power supply  110  and/or the light-emitting strips  112 . The controller may be wirelessly controllable (e.g., by a smart phone app or a remote control) and may turn on or off the power supply  110  and/or the light-emitting strips  112 . In some embodiments, the controller may include timer circuitry to automatically turn on or off the power supply  110  and/or the light-emitting strips  112  after a predetermined time. In some embodiments, the controller may be operatively connected to sensors and may turn on or off the power supply  110  and/or the light-emitting strips  112  in response to sensor data. 
     A friction strip  113  may additionally be provided within an internal surface of the enclosure  102 . The friction strip  113  may be made any material designed to apply friction to an object moving against the friction strip  113 . For example, the friction strip  113  may be rubber, sandpaper, a mohair strip, and so on. In some cases, the friction strip  113  may be non-uniform such that different areas on the strip impart different frictional forces on an object in contact with the friction strip  113 . 
     When a set of cards is present within the enclosure  102  (see  FIG. 2B ), the friction strip  113  may impart frictional forces to the deck of cards to separate successive cards. In this way, the friction strip  113  may cause a front and/or back face of each individual card to become illuminated by any one of the light-emitters  116 . In this way, each individual card may be sanitized as sanitizing light is able to illuminate a greater surface area of each card of the deck of cards. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a card distribution and sanitization apparatus  200 . In some embodiments, the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  200  may be equivalent to the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  100 . 
     The card distribution and sanitization apparatus  200  may include an enclosure  202 , a number of light emitting strips  212 , a diffusing layer  219 , light-emitters  216 , a wedge  204 , a wheel  205 , a front wall  208 , a biasing element  217 , a friction strip  213 , and a power supply  210 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2A , the wedge  204  may include a wheel  205  and may slide along a surface of the diffusing layer  219 . The biasing element  217  may be operatively coupled to the wedge  204  and to the enclosure  202  and may be configured to bias the wedge  204  toward the front wall  208 . 
     The front wall  208  may, along with a surface of the diffusing layer  219 , define a gap (which may be referenced as an outlet). When cards are positioned on the wedge  204 , cards may be distributed through the gap/outlet when dealt or otherwise distributed through the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  200 . 
     The power supply  210  may be operatively coupled to the light emitting strips  212  and may be configured to provide power to the light-emitters  216 . Various conductive traces and/or wires may extend from the power supply  210  and may come into contact with at least a portion of the light emitting strips  212 . 
     A diffusing layer  219  may be positioned between the wedge  204  and the light emitting strip  212 . In some embodiments, diffusing layer  219  may be an optical diffuser and may diffuse or scatter light emitted from the light-emitting strip  212 . The optical diffuser may also be configured to filter the emitted light so that, for example, only light in the UV-C spectrum reaches the interior cavity. The diffusing layer  219  may be formed of an optically transparent material (e.g., a material optically transparent to UV-C light) and may be made of a glass, clear plastic, visually-opaque plastic, and so on. A similar diffusing layer may also be disposed on side walls of the enclosure  102  or on the lid  106  in front of respective light-emitting strips  112 . In some embodiments, the diffusing layer  219  may be smooth to allow the wheel  205  and/or cards to smoothly slide and to be dispensed easily. In some embodiments, the diffusing layer  219  may include ridges and/or surface features to diffuse light. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus, including multiple light-emitting elements and a set of cards.  FIG. 2B  illustrates the card distribution and sanitization apparatus when a set of cards is provided in an internal cavity of the enclosure  202 . As the set of cards interacts with the friction strip  213 , individual cards within the set of cards may separate. For example, front and back surfaces of particular cards of the set of cards may become visible to the light-emitting strip  212 . In this way, the front and back surfaces of the particular cards may be sanitized even as the cards are within the enclosure  202 . 
     It is noted that, in  FIG. 2B , each of the cards of the set of cards are spaced uniformly. While the friction strip  213  may equally space each card, this is not necessary. As the wedge  204  moves, the cards of the set of cards may become jostled, may ‘stick,’ or may otherwise move in a non-uniform manner. At some times, individual cards may come into contact with one another. However, as the set of cards moves through the enclosure  202 , the friction strip  213  may ensure that the front and/or back portion of each card is illuminated for at least a portion of the time that each card is present within the enclosure  203 . Further, there may be multiple friction strips within the enclosure  202 . For example, one or more frictions strips may be provided on each wall of the enclosure. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus  300  including a light-emitting stack-up  320 . As described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2  above, the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  300  may include a housing  302 , a wedge  304 , a lid  306 , a front wall  308 , a power supply  310 , and a switch  314 . The operation and/or structure of these features may be the same as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The card distribution and sanitization apparatus  300  may additionally include a base  318  including power and signal transmission elements and a light-emitting stack-up  320 . The base  318  may be fully or partially formed from a conductive material and may transmit power from the power supply  310  to the light-emitting stack-up  320 . In a non-limiting example, the base  318  may include one or a number of insulated conductive wires that transmit power. In another example, the power transmission layer may be a housing formed of metal, plastic, wood, and so on and may house a number of batteries. 
     The light-emitting stack-up  320  may comprise an outlet surrounded by light emitting portions and diffusing portions (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). As provided herein, the outlet of the light-emitting stack-up  320  may be referenced as an inlet and may be formed as a slit, space, or gap configured to permit a card to pass. After a card passes through the gap, which may be referenced as an outlet, defined by the enclosure  302  and the front wall  308 , the card may pass through the outlet/inlet of the light-emitting stack-up  320  and may be sanitized by UV-C light emitted from portions of the light-emitting stack-up. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  depict a partial cross-sectional view of a card distribution and sanitization apparatus  400 . In some embodiments, the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  400  may correspond to the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  300 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4A , a top wall  408  and an enclosure  402  may define a gap for a card to pass through. A light-emitting stack-up  420  may further define an outlet/inlet  430  for the card to pass through after passing through the gap. The light-emitting stack-up  420  may additionally comprise a passage comprising a certain length. As used herein, the outlet/inlet  430  may refer to an opening and the passage may refer to an end-to-end length that a card passes through. The light-emitting stack-up  420  may further include a first light-emitter  422 A, a first diffusing layer  424 A, a second light-emitter  422 B, a second light-emitter  424 B, and an upper housing  426 . The upper housing  426  may be a housing configured to wrap around an external surface of the light-emitting stack-up  420  and may be formed of the same or different material as enclosure  402 . 
     The first light-emitter  422 A and the second light-emitter  422 B may be UV-C emitting LEDs, light-emitting strips, fluorescent tubes, halogen lights, CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) light, light transmit through a waveguide or light pipe, gas or pellet lamps, incandescent bulbs, or any other UV-C light-emitter. Power to operate the first and second light-emitters  422 A and  422 B may be transmit by the base layer  418  including power transmission elements. For example, wires or conductive traces may travel through the housing  426  and may operatively couple end portions of the first and second light-emitters  422 A and  422 B to each other and to the base layer  418 . The first and second light-emitters  422 A and  422 B may be independently controllable, in some embodiments, or may operate as one light-emitting element. As described herein, the first light-emitter  422 A and the second light-emitter  422 B may be positioned on either side of the light-emitting stack-up  420  such that a passage is formed between the first light-emitter  422 A and the second light-emitter  422 B. In other words, the first light-emitter  422 A and the second light-emitter  422 B may be positioned on opposing sides of the passage. 
     The first diffusing layer  424 A and the second diffusing layer  424 B may act to diffuse and/or scatter light emitted from the first and second light-emitters  422 A and  422 B and may act as a guide layer to guide a card through the outlet  430 . The first and second diffusing layers  424 A and  424 B may be at least partially optically transparent in the UV-C spectrum range and may permit the passage of light emitted from the first and second light-emitters  422 A and  422 B. The first and second diffusing layers  424 A and  424 B may be formed of, for example, an optically transparent material in the UV-C spectrum such as glass or plastic. The first and second diffusing layers may include components or features that diffuse light emitted from the first and second light-emitters to produce a more uniform light irradiation along the area defined by the outlet  430 . In some cases, the first and second diffusing layers may include a surface texture, surface features, or other similar features that help to distribute the light produced from the light source. In some cases, the layers may include features that define a Fresnel lens or lenticular lensing features that can be used to improve the uniformity of the light irradiation. For example, optical lenses and/or diffusing layers may be used to ensure that the emitted ultraviolet light intensity is consistent throughout the area defined by the outlet  430 , so as to avoid hot-spots or cold-spots that would otherwise receive too much or too little light. The first and second diffusing layers may also include surface feature and/or grooves to guide a card through the outlet  430 . In some embodiments, the first and second diffusing layers may be smooth to permit the card to smoothly move through the outlet  430 . 
     A controller may be operatively coupled to the first and second light-emitters  422 A and  422 B and may control an intensity and/or emission time of the first and second light-emitters.  422 A and  422 B. In some embodiments, both of the light-emitters may emit UV-C light at between 1,000 mW to 10 mW which, over an area of a squared centimeter, may correspond to an intensity of 1,000 mW/cm 2  to 10 mW/cm 2 . For each of the first and second light-emitters  422 A and  422 B, multiple, for example, LED diodes emitting UV-C light at between 1,000 mW to 10 mW may be provided to an area from 6 cm 2  to 24 cm 2  to result in an intensity of between about 250 mW/cm 2  to about 0.4 mW/cm 2 . 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates an example of one card  432 A of a deck of cards  432  moving through the light-emitting outlet  420 . In some embodiments, a card  432 A may move through the outlet  430  for a period of time from about 1 second to 10 seconds. As the length of the light-emitting stack-up  430  may be shorter than a length of the card  432 A, each region of the card  432 A may be within the light-emitting stack-up  430  for 0.1 seconds to 1 second. Based on the predicted time that a portion of a card spends within the light-emitting stack-up  430 , a desired intensity may be selected to reach a threshold dosage. The above values are explanatory only and any card speed value may be used in accordance with the disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, a threshold dosage may be about 10 mJ/cm 2  to about 500 mJ/cm 2  or may be about 40 mJ/cm 2 . In some embodiments, an intensity value of the first and second light-emitters  422 A and  422 B may be set to about 40 mW/cm 2  to reach the threshold dosage when each portion of a card  432 A spends about 1 second within the light-emitting stack-up  420 . If a portion of the card  432 A spends about 0.1 seconds within the light emitting stack-up  420 , a desired intensity value may be about 400 mW/cm 2 . 
     The above values are merely explanatory and any intensity, area, or time value may be used to calculate a proper UV-C dosage. In some embodiments, the light-emitting stack-up  420  may be substantially equivalent in length as the card  432 A, which may result in a lower intensity value. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-section of a card distribution and sanitization apparatus  500  when the light-emitting stack-up  520  has a length D that is substantially equivalent to a length of a card  532 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , a card distribution and sanitization apparatus  500  may include a front wall  508 , an enclosure  502 , and a base layer  518 . These elements may be substantially similar to those discussed with respect to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The enclosure may hold a deck of cards  532  including a card  532 A. 
     The light-emitting stack-up  520  may have a length D that may be approximately 89 mm long. In some embodiments, the length D may be about 10 centimeters, though any length for D may be used in accordance with the provided disclosure. Similarly to the embodiment described with respect the  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the light-emitting stack-up  520  may include a first light-emitter  522 A, a first diffusing layer  524 A, a second light-emitter  522 B, a second light-emitter  524 B, and an upper housing  526 . The light-emitting stack-up  520  may further define a gap  530 . 
     The first and second diffusing layers may include components or features that diffuse light emitted from the first and second light-emitters to produce a more uniform light irradiation along the area defined by the outlet  530 . In some cases, the first and second diffusing layers may include a surface texture, surface features, or other similar features that help to distribute the light produced from the light source. In some cases, the layers may include features that define a Fresnel lens or lenticular lensing features that can be used to improve the uniformity of the light irradiation. For example, optical lenses and/or diffusing layers may be used to ensure that the emitted ultraviolet light intensity is consistent throughout the area defined by the outlet  530 , so as to avoid hot-spots or cold-spots that would otherwise receive too much or too little light. The first and second diffusing layers may include surface features and/or may be smooth to guide and/or allow a card to smoothly move through the outlet  530 . 
     In addition, a protrusion  534  may be provided along an interior surface of the light-emitting stack-up  520 . The protrusion  534  may be a bump formed from any material and may inhibit a forward progress of the card  532 A as the card  532 A reaches an end of the light-emitting stack-up  520 . If the card  532 A has a sufficient momentum, the card  532 A may rise above the protrusion  534  and may continue past the light-emitting stack-up  520 . 
     In some embodiments, the protrusion  534  may be coupled to the base layer  518  and may be actively controlled. The protrusion  534  may be extendable and depressible. For example, the protrusion  534  may be operatively coupled to the proximity sensor  536  and may be extended once the proximity sensor  536  detects the presence of a card  532 A at the outlet  530 . The protrusion  534  may remain extended, thereby preventing the card  532 A from exiting the outlet, until a sufficient dosage is determined to have been imparted to the card  532 A. For example, an exposure time may be measured and the protrusion  534  may be extended during the entirety of the exposure time. Once the exposure time has concluded, a controller may direct the protrusion  534  to depress and allow the card  532 A to move through the outlet  530 . 
     A proximity sensor  536  may also be provided. The proximity sensor  536  may be configured to detect the presence or movement of an object with the light-emitting stack-up  520 . For example, the proximity sensor  536  may be an infrared emitter and receiver pair and may emit infrared light and may determine the presence of an object based on the infrared light received at the receiver. The proximity sensor  536  may also be an ambient light detector and may product a detection signal when an ambient light within the light-emitting stack-up  520  changes. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor  536  may be a camera and may use image analysis to determine the presence of a card (e.g., card  532 A). The proximity sensor  536  may be operatively coupled to a controller of the card distribution and sanitization device  500  and operations of the light-emitters may be controlled as a result of a generated detection signal. The proximity sensor  536  may be positioned on a side wall of the light-emitting stack-up  520  and/or may be positioned on a top or bottom wall. 
     As the length D of the light-emitting stack-up  520  is longer than the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the exposure time may be lower than the above described embodiment. The light-emitting stack-up  520  may additionally include a, for example, u-shaped hole so that a user may remove the card  532 A from the light-emitting stack-up  520 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a light-emitting stack-up  620  when installed on a surface of a table  601  (e.g., a table for playing a card game). A drawer  603  may additionally be provided to hold a card or a deck of cards and may be communicatively coupled to a slit  650 . A ramp may be provided underneath the slit  650  so that cards installed within the drawer  603  may be distributed through the slit  650 . The drawer  603  may be moveable in both directions with respect to the table  601  (e.g., in a push-in direction and a push-out direction) and may be used to distribute additional cards (e.g., when pushed-in) and/or to replace cards (e.g., when pulled-out. A switch  614  operatively coupled with the light-emitting stack-up  620  may additionally be provided to control when light-emitters of the light-emitting stack-up  620  turn on or off. In some embodiments, a length of the light-emitting stack-up  620  may be approximately a length of the card  632 A. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 6 , a light-emitting stack-up  620  may be placed on a surface of the table  601  and may guide a card  632 A after the card  632 A moves through the slit  650 . In this way, the card  632 A may be provided to a top surface of the table  601  for use in a card game. 
     The light-emitting stack-up  620  may operate in a substantially similar manner as described with respect to  FIGS. 1-4B . For example, the light-emitting stack-up  620  may include light-emitters, diffusing layers, and a proximity sensor and may emit ultraviolet light for a certain period of time after a card  632 A is detected. In some embodiments, the light-emitting stack-up  620  may be operated manually by the switch  614 . For example, a user may turn the light-emitting stack-up  620  on or off via the switch  614 . The dosage applied to the card  632 A by the light-emitting stack-up  620  may be between about 10 mJ/cm 2  and about 500 mJ/cm 2  and may be about 40 mJ/cm 2 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a process  700  for sanitizing an interior cavity of a card distribution and sanitization apparatus. At operation  702 , a lid closure state of the card distribution and sanitization apparatus is detected. In some embodiments, a contact switch may be provided proximate to a lid. The contact switch may be depressed by the lid when the lid is closed but may be extended when the lid is open. Magnetic switches may also be provided with a magnet disposed within the lid portion and a magnetic sensor disposed within an enclosure. Any manner of detecting a lid closure state may be utilized in accordance with the provided disclosure. 
     At operation  704 , ultraviolet light (e.g., UV-C light) may be emitted after the lid closure state is detected at operation  702 . The ultraviolet light may be emitted automatically as soon as the lid closure state is detected at operation  702  or may be emitted after a user engages with a switch or button. The ultraviolet light may be emitted at a stable intensity or may transition between a range of intensities. 
     The dosage applied to a card by the ultraviolet light may be selected based on experimental values for removing contaminants from a surface of a card. The desired dosage to remove a substantial portion of the contaminants may be referred to as a threshold dosage. The threshold dosage may be selected based on an intensity of emitted ultraviolet light and/or on a desired emission time. For example, a threshold dosage may be about 10 mJ/cm 2  to about 500 mJ/cm 2  or may be about 40 mJ/cm 2 . In some embodiments, an intensity value of ultraviolet emitters may be set to about 4 mW/cm 2  to reach the threshold dosage when a card or deck of cards spends about 10 seconds within a card distribution and sanitization apparatus. In some embodiments, a desirable dosage may be set higher (e.g., 500 mJ/cm 2 ) and an exposure time may be set above a minimum exposure time. For example, an exposure time may be set to be about 1 minute and an intensity value of a light-emitter may be set to be about 5 mW/cm 2  through about 50 mW/cm 2 . In this way, an applied dosage may successfully irradiate a surface based on predetermined parameters. 
     At operation  706 , a lid status is determined. If the lid has opened at operation  706 , then the ultraviolet light may be automatically turned off to avoid coming into contact with a user. If the lid is not opened at operation  706 , then a controller may determine, via a clock or timer, whether a predetermined time has passed. A predetermined time may be selected based on anticipated damage to a deck of cards based on ultraviolet light exposure. For example, a period of 30 seconds may be considered sufficient to sanitize a deck of cards without causing any damage. The predetermined time of 30 seconds is merely one example and any time period may be used. 
     If the predetermined time period has not passed at operation  708 , the ultraviolet light may continue being emitted at operation  710 . The predetermined time period may be periodically queried for as long as ultraviolet light is being emitted. When the predetermined time period has passed, the ultraviolet light may be turned off at operation  712 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a process  800  for sanitizing an outlet of a card distribution and sanitization apparatus in response to a presence detection. At operation  802 , a card may be detected at an outlet of the card distribution and sanitization apparatus. For example, a proximity sensor may be directed toward the outlet and may detect the presence of the card by, for example, different in ambient light and/or difference in reflected light. In some embodiments, a proximity sensor may be a mechanical switch that is depressed as a card comes into contact with the mechanical switch and reverts when the card is removed. Any manner of detecting the presence of a card may be utilized in accordance with the provided disclosure. 
     At operation  804 , ultraviolet light (e.g., UV-C light) may be emitted after the presence of the card is detected at operation  802 . The ultraviolet light may be emitted automatically as soon as the proximity of the card is detected at operation  802  or may be emitted after a user engages with a switch or button. The ultraviolet light may be emitted at a stable intensity or may transition between a range of intensities. In some embodiments, a light-emitter may emit ultraviolet light for as long as a presence of a card is detected at operation  802 . 
     In alternate or additional embodiments, the dosage applied to a card by the ultraviolet light may be selected based on experimental values for removing contaminants from a surface of a card. The desired dosage to remove a substantial portion of the contaminants may be referred to as a threshold dosage. With respect to the process described in  FIG. 7 , the operation  804  may include light-emitters emitting ultraviolet light with a higher intensity to account for a possible decrease in exposure time. The threshold dosage may be selected based on an intensity of emitted ultraviolet light and/or on a desired emission time. For example, a threshold dosage may be about 10 mJ/cm 2  to about 500 mJ/cm 2  or may be about 40 mJ/cm 2 . In some embodiments, an intensity value of ultraviolet emitters may be set to about 40 mW/cm 2  to reach the threshold dosage when each portion of a card spends about 1 seconds within a card distribution and sanitization apparatus. In some embodiments, a desirable dosage may be set higher (e.g., 500 mJ/cm 2 ) and an exposure time may be estimated to be lower. For example, an exposure time may be set to be about 0.1 seconds and an intensity value of a light-emitter may be set to be about 300 mW/cm 2  through about 500 mW/cm 2 . In this way, an applied dosage may successfully irradiate a surface based on predetermined parameters. 
     At operation  806 , a continuing presence of the card is determined. If the card is no longer present at operation  806 , then the ultraviolet light may be automatically turned off to avoid excessive power use at operation  808 . If the card is still present at operation  806 , then ultraviolet light may continue being emitted at operation  810 . In some embodiments, operation  810  may revert to operation  806  to continuously query whether a card is present at an outlet while ultraviolet light is being emitted. 
     In some embodiments, an automated shutoff switch may turn off the ultraviolet light even if the card is still detected at operation  806 . The automated shutoff switch may be initiated after a predetermined time as passed to avoid causing UV-C-caused damage to the card. 
     If the predetermined time period has not passed at operation  808 , the ultraviolet light may continue being emitted at operation  810 . The predetermined time period may be periodically queried for as long as ultraviolet light is being emitted. When the predetermined time period has passed, the ultraviolet light may be turned off at operation  812 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an example card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900  including a number of electrical elements, such as discussed with respect to  FIGS. 1-8 . The card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900  is only one such example and other assemblies in accordance with the provided disclosure are considered. For example, additional or fewer elements may be provided in additional or alternative apparatuses. 
     In embodiments, a card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900  may include light-emitting elements  902 . As discussed throughout the specification, the light-emitting elements may be configured to emit ultraviolet light (e.g., UV-C) light. The light-emitting elements  902  may be coupled to an additional electrical element, such as a flexible or rigid printed circuit board, and may be powered by a power supply (e.g., power supply  906 ). The light-emitting elements  902  may be light-emitting diodes (LEDs), elongated lamps, light-emitting tubes, incandescent bulbs, bulb-shaped light-emitters, any combination thereof, and so on. Any light-emitter, and associated structures including sleeves (e.g., quartz sleeves), mercury drops, insulating material, and so on, that may emit ultraviolet light having a wavelength between about 10 nm and about 400 nm may be used in accordance with the provided disclosure. 
     The card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900  may also include a controller  904  operably connected with an electrical system of the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900 . The controller  904  may be implemented as one or more computer processors or microcontrollers configured to perform operations in response to computer-readable instructions and may communicate with a variety of types of non-transitory computer-readable storage media. The controller  904  may include a central processing unit (CPU) of the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900 . Additionally, and/or alternatively, the controller  904  may include other electronic circuitry within the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900  including application specific integrated chips (ASIC) and other microcontroller devices. The controller  904  may be configured to perform functionality described in the examples above. For example, the controller  904  may be coupled to any number of light-emitting elements  902 , timer circuitry  908 , optical detector  912 , proximity sensor  914 , and so on, and may control any associated operations. For example, the controller  904  may control the light-emitting elements  902  so as to emit, begin emitting, or stop emitting light. Such operations may occur in response to a signal from, for example, proximity sensor  914  so that light-emitting elements  902  are operated when a movement is detected (e.g., a card movement). 
     The card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900  may also include a power supply  906 . The power supply  906  may include a battery that is configured to provide electrical power. The battery may include one or more power storage cells that are linked together to provide an internal supply of electrical power. In some cases, the battery may be operatively coupled to power management circuitry that is configured to provide appropriate voltage and power levels for individual components or groups of components within the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900 . The battery, via power management circuitry, may be configured to receive power from an external source, such as an AC power outlet, and may include AC/DC conversion circuitry (e.g., an AC/DC converter  910 ). The battery may store received power so that the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900  may operate without connection to an external power source for an extended period of time, which may range from several hours to several days. 
     In some cases, the power supply  906  may be a power supply connected to, for example, a wall outlet. Any power supply  906  configured to provide power to the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900  may be used in accordance with the provided disclosure. 
     The card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900  may additionally include timer circuitry  908 . The timer circuitry  908  may be a part of the controller  904  or may exist as separate circuitry including resistors, capacitors, and so on. The timer circuitry  908  may additionally be coupled to the light-emitting elements  902  and may, along with the controller  904 , cause the light-emitting elements  902  to begin or stop emitting light. The timer may include a counter (e.g., a countdown counter) that is initially set to a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds). The predetermined time may begin counting down after an event is detected, such as a card movement via the proximity sensor  914 . At the beginning of the predetermined time, the light-emitting elements  902  may be turned on. After the predetermined time has elapsed, as determined through the user of the timer circuitry  908 , the light-emitting elements  902  may be turned off. In this way, the light-emitting elements  902  may be controlled so as to reduce extraneous emission of light. 
     As discussed with respect to the power supply  906 , an alternating-current-to-direct-current (AC/DC) converter  910  may additionally be provided. The AC/DC converter  910  may be any time of converter that converts alternating current to direct current and may include, for example, rectifiers, power supply units, rotary converters, switched-mode power supplies, and so on. The AC/DC converter  910  may convert power (e.g., utility power) as received from, for example, a wall outlet into a form usable by the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900 . In some cases, the AC/DC converter  910  may be omitted if, for example, the card distribution and sanitization apparatus is powered by a battery or other form of power supply  906 . 
     An optical detector  912  may additionally be provided. As discussed herein, the optical detector  912  may be configured to sense an intensity and/or dosage of light emitted by light-emitting elements  902 . The optical detector  912  may be any kind of optical detector configured to detect light intensity and/or dosage. For example, the optical detector  912  may be a photodiode and may convert received light into a measurable current. In some examples, a charge coupled device (CCD) may be used to convert light to an output voltage. The particular type of optical detector  912  is not limited and any device configured to detect light may be used in accordance with the provided disclosure. The optical detector  912  may be operatively coupled to the controller  904  and the controller  904  may, in turn, control operations of the light-emitting elements  902  in accordance with signals from the optical detector  912 . 
     A proximity sensor  914  may additionally be included within the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900 . The proximity sensor  914  may be configured to detect the presence or movement of an object with the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900 . For example, the proximity sensor  914  may be an infrared emitter and receiver pair and may emit infrared light and may determine the presence of an object based on the infrared light received at the receiver. The proximity sensor  914  may additionally or alternatively be an ambient light detector and may product a detection signal when an ambient light within the card distribution and sanitization apparatus  900  changes. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor  914  may be a camera and may use image analysis to determine the presence of a card. The proximity sensor  914  may be operatively coupled to a controller  904  of the card distribution and sanitization device  900  and operations of the light-emitters may be controlled as a result of a generated detection signal. 
     Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of” indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Further, the term “exemplary” does not mean that the described example is preferred or better than other examples. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.