Ambient Temperature Prediction Using Dual Sensor Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern mobile devices' temperature sensors, housed within the casing, exhibit a large response time in measuring ambient air temperature due to thermal influences from device components, leading to inaccurate predictions, especially under rapidly changing environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method using a primary and secondary temperature sensor, with the processing unit calculating and comparing predictions to adjust a parameter indicative of thermal influence, such as thermal resistance, until the difference between predictions is within a predefined maximum, ensuring accurate ambient temperature estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the temperature sensor is placed inside the mobile device casing, then the device structure is compact and functional, but the response time increases and measurement accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the temperature measurement function into multiple sensors positioned at different locations within the device. By segmenting the measurement task across multiple sensor positions (e.g., near heat-generating components and away from them), the system can differentiate between internal heat effects and ambient temperature changes, thereby improving response time and accuracy while maintaining compact device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the temperature sensor is placed inside the mobile device casing, then the device structure is compact, but the measurement precision of ambient temperature decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidambient temperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where multiple temperature sensors continuously monitor temperature at different locations. The processing unit analyzes temperature differences between sensors to detect and compensate for thermal influences from internal components. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain high measurement precision for ambient temperature despite the compact integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If a single temperature sensor is used, then the device complexity is low, but the prediction accuracy under rapidly changing environmental conditions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor configuration simplicityVSAvoidtemperature prediction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to temperature measurement by positioning multiple sensors at different locations within the device rather than relying on a single sensor. This dimensional approach allows the system to capture temperature gradients and differentiate between internal heat effects and ambient temperature changes, significantly improving prediction accuracy under rapidly changing environmental conditions while maintaining manageable device complexity.

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 reduces response time and improves prediction accuracy by strategically positioning sensors to account for varying thermal influences, allowing for real-time adjustments under changing conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a primary temperature sensor comprised in said mobile device measures a first temperature value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

at least one secondary temperature sensor comprised in said mobile device measures a second temperature value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 3

a processing unit comprised in said mobile device calculates a first prediction of an ambient temperature around the mobile device in dependence on the first temperature value and at least one parameter which is indicative of a thermal influence of one or more mobile device components on the measurements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10036671B2Method of predicting an ambient temperature around a mobile device, computer program product and mobile device

Publication Date: 2018.07.31 NXP BV

AI summary

There is disclosed a method of predicting an ambient temperature around a mobile device, wherein: a primary temperature sensor comprised in said mobile device measures a first temperature value; at least one secondary temperature sensor comprised in said mobile device measures a second temperature value; a processing unit comprised in said mobile device calculates a first prediction of an ambient temperature around the mobile device in dependence on the first temperature value and at least one parameter which is indicative of a thermal influence of one or more mobile device components on the measurements; the processing unit calculates a second prediction of said ambient temperature in dependence on the second temperature value and said parameter; the processing unit compares the first prediction with the second prediction and adjusts said parameter if the difference between the first prediction and the second prediction exceeds a predefined maximum. Furthermore, a corresponding computer program product and a corresponding mobile device are disclosed.