Transducer temperature sensing
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsDavid Patrick Magee, Stephen John Fedigan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In described examples, one or more devices include: apparatus including a lens element and a transducer to vibrate the lens element at an operating frequency when operating in an activated state; and controller circuitry. The controller circuitry is arranged to measure an impedance of the apparatus, to determine an estimated temperature of the apparatus in response to the measured impedance, to compare the estimated temperature against a temperature threshold for delineating an operating temperature range of the apparatus, and to toggle an activation state of the transducer in response to comparing the estimated temperature against the temperature threshold.
Claims20
A camera lens system, comprising:
- a lens element;
- a transducer configured to vibrate the lens element at an operating frequency when the transducer is in an activated state;
- and
- controller circuitry coupled to the transducer, wherein the controller circuitry is configured to:
- measure an impedance of the transducer;
- determine an estimated temperature of the apparatus in response to the measured impedance;
- compare the estimated temperature against a temperature threshold for delineating an operating temperature range of the apparatus;
- and
- toggle an activation state of the transducer in response to comparing the estimated temperature against the temperature threshold.
A system, comprising:
- a vehicle including a vehicle body, wherein the vehicle body includes an interior space sheltered from an exterior environment;
- a camera coupled to the vehicle body, wherein the camera includes a lens element that is transparent and is exposed to the exterior environment;
- an apparatus including a transducer to vibrate the lens element at an operating frequency when the transducer is in an activated state;
- and
- controller circuitry coupled to the vehicle, wherein the controller circuitry includes a user interface to receive a command generated in response to operation of the vehicle by an operator, wherein the controller circuitry is arranged to:
- measure an impedance of the transducer while the transducer is operating at the operating frequency;
- determine an estimated temperature of the apparatus in response to the measured impedance;
- compare the estimated temperature against a temperature threshold for delineating an operating temperature range of the apparatus;
- and
- toggle an activation state of the transducer in response to comparing the estimated temperature against the temperature threshold.
A method, comprising:
- measuring an impedance of a transducer for vibrating a lens element in an apparatus while the transducer is operating at an operating frequency;
- determining an estimated temperature of the apparatus in response to the measured impedance;
- comparing the estimated temperature against a temperature threshold for delineating an operating temperature range of the apparatus;
- and
- toggling an activation state of the transducer in response to comparing the estimated temperature against the temperature threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.