Ambient Temperature Correction Using Display Driver Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ambient temperature measurements in electronic devices with compact form factors are often inaccurate due to the proximity of temperature sensors to heat-generating components, as thermal insulation is not always effective in isolating these components.

Innovation Solution

The method involves measuring or estimating the power consumption of heat-generating components like the display driver and processor core, using these values to determine a correction factor for the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor, thereby improving the accuracy of ambient temperature readings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If thermal insulation is employed to isolate the temperature sensor from heat generating components, then the temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the temperature sensor from the hot environment by placing it in a separate thermal zone within the device housing, away from heat-generating components like the display driver and processor. This physical separation allows the sensor to measure ambient temperature more accurately without requiring complex thermal insulation structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces thermal barriers or air gaps as intermediary elements between the temperature sensor and heat-generating components. These intermediaries reduce thermal coupling without requiring direct contact or complex insulation materials, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If thermal insulation is employed to isolate the temperature sensor from heat generating components, then the temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the temperature sensor placement with the existing device housing structure, integrating the sensor into the housing rather than requiring separate insulation components. This merging approach maintains measurement accuracy while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies thermal isolation only in the specific local region where the temperature sensor is positioned, rather than insulating the entire device. This localized approach maintains measurement accuracy while minimizing manufacturing complexity and cost by focusing thermal management only where necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the temperature sensor is placed in proximity to heat generating components for compact design, then the device compactness is improved, but the temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing three-dimensional space within the device housing to position the temperature sensor in a location that is physically close to other components but thermally isolated through strategic placement in a different spatial zone or layer, maintaining both compactness and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for accurate ambient temperature correction within a predefined error tolerance (e.g., ±1° C.), ensuring reliable temperature monitoring and control in electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

An ambient temperature of an environment is measured by a temperature sensor of the electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

Measurements made by the temperature sensor can be affected by heat from the heat generating electronic components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11798501B2Power monitoring for correcting ambient temperature measurement by electronic devices

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

This application is directed to a method for correct temperature measurement. An electronic device includes a temperature sensor that measures an ambient temperature of an environment and a display that is driven by a display driver. The electronic device determines a brightness setting of the display, estimates a display driver current based on the brightness setting, estimates a driver efficiency of the display driver based on the display driver current, and combines a predetermined display driver voltage, the display driver current, and the driver efficiency to determine a power consumption of the display driver. An ambient temperature correction is determined in accordance with the determined power consumption of the display driver, and the measured ambient temperature is thereby corrected using the ambient temperature correction. In some implementations, a power consumption of a distinct heat-generating electronic component is also monitored for adjusting the ambient temperature correction.