US 2026/0298732 A1 · SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE SENSING USING THERMOPILE INTEGRATED WITH FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT

Abstract

Robust estimation of temperatures inside and outside a device can be achieved using one or more absolute temperature sensors optionally in conjunction with thermopile heat flux sensors. Thermopile temperature sensing systems can measure a temperature gradient across two locations within the device, to estimate absolute temperature at locations that are impractical to measure using absolute temperature sensors. Using heat flux models associated with the device, the thermopile temperature sensing system can be used to estimate temperature associated with objects that contact an outer surface of the device, such as a user's skin temperature. Additionally, the thermopile temperature sensing system can be used to estimate ambient air temperature. Within a device, temperature measurements from the thermopile temperature sensors can be used to compensate sensor measurements, such as when the accuracy or reliability of a sensor varies with temperature.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An electronic device comprising:

an absolute temperature sensor configured to estimate a first temperature at a first location within the electronic device;
a flexible PCB including a thermopile;
sensing circuitry coupled to the thermopile and configured to measure a voltage proportional to a temperature gradient across the thermopile;
and
processing circuitry coupled to the sensing circuitry and the absolute temperature sensor, the processing circuitry configured for:
monitoring one or more first sensors;
in accordance with a determination that one or more criteria are satisfied, estimating a body temperature of a user, wherein estimating the body temperature of the user comprises:
measuring the first temperature at the first location using the absolute temperature sensor;
estimating a temperature differential across the thermopile;
and
estimating a second temperature at a second location, different from the first location;
and
in accordance with a determination that the one or more criteria are not satisfied, forgoing estimating the body temperature of a user.

10 more elements

An electronic device comprising:

one or more processors;
memory;
and
one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
receiving, at an electronic device, a request to initiate a temperature measurement;
in accordance with a determination that one or more criteria are satisfied, initiating the temperature measurement;
and
in accordance with a determination that the one or more criteria are not satisfied:
implementing, at the electronic device, one or more measures to satisfy the one or more criteria, and
after implementing the one or measures, initiating the temperature measurement.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for temperature sensing using thermopile integrated with flexible circuit

Life of this patent

System and method for temperature sensing using thermopile integrated with flexible circuit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20