# US 2017/0288451 A1 · Apparatuses and methods for controlling power to electronic devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0288451 A1 - Document ID: US20170288451A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/632,218 - Filed: 2017-06-23 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-12-23 - Assignees: Revive Electronics, LLC - Applicants: Revive Electronics, LLC - Inventors: Joel Trusty; Reuben Zielinski; Mark Earle; David Douberteen; Scott Moorehead; Micah Trusty - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170288451A1 ## CPC - H02H 5/083: {responsive to the entry or leakage of a liquid into an electrical appliance (moisture alarm G08B21/20)} - H04M 1/18: Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment (H04M1/19 takes precedence) - G01N 27/223: {for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity (rain detectors on vehicle windows B60S1/0825)} - H04M 1/0262: {for a battery compartment} - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Methods and apparatuses for detecting when an electronic device, preferably a portable electronic device (PED) in some embodiments, has been exposed to moisture, and inhibiting the flow of electrical power to the electronic device when the moisture is too high or increasing too fast are disclosed. Embodiments sample air within the device, measure the moisture in the sampled air, inhibit the connection of electrical power to the device if the moisture exceeds a threshold, and permit the connection of electrical power to the device if the moisture is below a threshold. Some embodiments measure the moisture in the ambient air to improve effectiveness. Other embodiments allow resetting of a tripped condition. Other embodiments include constant sampling of air from within the device to assist drying, and inhibiting application of power to the device until the device is sufficiently dry. Still other embodiments interrupt power from the battery within the device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: a battery configured to power a load; a switching device connected to the battery, the switching device having a first state in which the battery is enabled to power the load through the switching device, and a second state in which the battery is prevented from powering the load; a moisture sensor configured to sense moisture data associated with moisture in the apparatus; and a control device connected to the switching device and to the moisture sensor, the control device being configured to switch the switching device between the first state and the second state based on the moisture data. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claims 1, wherein the moisture data comprises a humidity, and wherein the control device is configured to switch the switching device from the first state to the second state in response to the humidity data rising at a rate, with respect to time, above a threshold value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moisture sensor is disposed adjacent to a through-hole of a housing comprising at least one of the battery and the load. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the through-hole is masked by a membrane to enable vapor penetration but to prevent liquid penetration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moisture sensor is disposed on a same circuit board as a power source connector tab connected to the battery. ### Claim 6 An apparatus, comprising: a battery configured to power a load; a switching device connected to the battery, the switching device comprising a first state in which the battery is enabled to power the load through the switching device, and a second state in which the battery is prevented from powering the load; a current sensor configured to sense current data associated with current drawn from the battery; and a control device connected to the switching device and to the current sensor, the control device being configured to switch the switching device between the first state and the second state based at least partially on the current data associated with the current sensed by the current sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control device is configured to switch the switching device from the first state to the second state in response to the current data being equal to or greater than a threshold value. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control device is configured to switch the switching device from the first state to the second state in response to the current data rising at a rate with respect to time that is above a threshold value. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a moisture sensor configured to sense humidity associated with the apparatus, the control device being configured to switch the switching device between the first state and the second state based at least partially on humidity data associated with the humidity sensed by the moisture sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control device is configured to switch the switching device from the first state to the second state in response to the humidity data being equal to or greater than a first threshold value or a rate of rise of the humidity data being equal to or greater than above a second threshold value. ### Claim 11 A method of operating a power interrupter for interrupting power from a battery, comprising the acts of: connecting a moisture sensor to a switch or to a battery, the moisture sensor sensing moisture data associated with moisture in an electronic device; connecting the switch to the battery, the switch including an electronic device connector configured to connect to the electronic device, wherein the switch establishes, based on the moisture data, or maintains, based on the moisture data, a connection or a disconnection between the battery and the electronic device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the battery is comprised in the electronic device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the battery is located outside the electronic device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the moisture data comprises a rate of change of the moisture. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the connection between the battery and the electronic device is based on a first threshold, and wherein the disconnection between the battery and the electronic device is based on a second threshold. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first threshold is approximately equal to the second threshold, or wherein the first threshold is different from the second threshold.