Portable Device Temperature Sensing Using Weighted Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic devices struggle to accurately sense external temperatures due to variations in environmental conditions, particularly when submerged in water or exposed to different heat transfer characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The device employs multiple temperature sensors positioned on various internal components, combined with machine learning algorithms to generate weighted temperature measurements and adjustment factors, allowing it to estimate external temperatures by correlating sensor readings with environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single temperature sensor is used in the electronic device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to account for different heat transfer characteristics in various environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature sensing function into multiple segments by deploying several temperature sensors at different locations within the device (e.g., near processor, battery, display). Each sensor captures temperature data from its specific zone, allowing the system to account for different heat transfer characteristics in various environments through segmented measurement points
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple temperature sensors serve universal purposes: they monitor internal component temperatures for thermal management and simultaneously enable external environment temperature estimation by analyzing the relationship between internal sensor readings and known heat transfer models. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the additional sensors beneficial for both device protection and environmental sensing
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are deployed at different locations, then the temperature estimation accuracy for different environments is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of heat transfer characteristics between different internal locations and the external environment during device design and calibration. By pre-establishing the thermal coupling relationships and storing them in lookup tables or calibration data, the system avoids complex real-time calculations, thereby improving environmental temperature estimation accuracy without proportionally increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a thermal model that copies the physical thermal relationships within the device into a computational representation. This virtual thermal model allows the processor to estimate external temperatures by mapping internal sensor readings through pre-characterized heat transfer pathways, achieving accurate environmental sensing without requiring direct physical measurement at every location
3Reliability
If temperature sensors are positioned near internal components, then the internal temperature monitoring is improved, but the external environment sensing accuracy deteriorates due to interference from component heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processor continuously monitors internal temperature sensor readings and uses them to dynamically adjust the environmental temperature estimation. By feeding the internal temperature data back into the thermal model, the system compensates for the heat interference from internal components, allowing accurate external environment sensing despite the proximity of sensors to heat-generating components
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameters used in temperature estimation based on internal component states. When internal components are active and generating heat, the processor adjusts the heat transfer coefficients or selects different calibration data that account for the elevated internal temperatures. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain accurate external environment sensing while sensors remain positioned near internal components for reliable internal monitoring
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 provides accurate temperature estimation of external environments, enhancing user experience in various activities such as swimming or hiking by accounting for heat transfer differences in dry and aqueous conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor of a set of temperature sensors can be positioned adjacent a first internal component and can provide a first signal having a first temperature measurement of a first region surrounding the first sensor
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
A portable electronic device can include a housing at least partially defining an internal volume, a set of temperature sensors disposed in the internal volume, a display assembly, and a processor or main logic board. The set of temperature sensors can be positioned adjacent to or affixed to components of the portable electronic device. The processor can determine a temperature of an environment based on an adjustment factor and weighted temperature measurements taken by a subset of the set of temperature sensors.