Methods, apparatuses and systems for sensing exposure of electronic devices to moisture
AssigneeHZO, Inc.
InventorsMarcellus Harper, Jason Maynard, Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining and exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both. The moisture sensor, which may be part of the IC, together with the control element may sense moisture within the electronic device.
Claims17
An electronic device, comprising:
- a housing and a display defining an exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device;
- an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element;
- and a moisture sensor comprising at least one inductive sensor, the moisture sensor being coupled to or part of the IC and associated with the control element, the moisture sensor and the control element together being configured to sense moisture within the electronic device, wherein the at least one inductive sensor is configured to generate a magnetic field and detect a change in magnetic permeability, the inductive sensor including an inductive coil surrounding the IC and configured to receive a voltage pulse from the IC.
A system, comprising:
- an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a processing element and logic calibrated for determining an occurrence of a moisture event based on a received sensor signal;
- and a moisture sensor comprising at least one inductive sensor coupled to the processing element and configured to generate a magnetic field and detect a change in magnetic permeability and convey the sensor signal to the logic, the sensor signal indicative of a measured magnetic permeability proximate the moisture sensor, the inductive sensor including an inductive coil surrounding the IC and configured to receive a voltage pulse from the IC.
A method for responding to exposure of an electronic device to moisture, comprising:
- measuring a change in magnetic permeability within the electronic device, with at least one inductive sensor, the inductive sensor including an inductive coil;
- receiving a voltage pulse, at the inductive coil, from an integrated circuit (IC);
- determining if moisture is within the electronic device based on the measured change in magnetic permeability;
- and entering a moisture sense mode of the electronic device if it is determined that moisture is within the electronic device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.