17930057. SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE SENSING USING THERMOPILE INTEGRATED WITH FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)
Contents
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE SENSING USING THERMOPILE INTEGRATED WITH FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Wegene H. Tadele of San Francisco CA (US)
Sherry Tang of Santa Clara CA (US)
Jeffrey W. Buchholz of Santa Cruz CA (US)
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE SENSING USING THERMOPILE INTEGRATED WITH FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17930057 titled 'SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE SENSING USING THERMOPILE INTEGRATED WITH FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes a method for accurately estimating temperatures inside and outside a device using temperature sensors. The method involves using absolute temperature sensors and thermopile heat flux sensors together to achieve robust temperature estimation.
- Absolute temperature sensors and thermopile heat flux sensors are used to measure temperature inside and outside a device.
- Thermopile temperature sensing systems can measure temperature gradients across two locations within the device to estimate absolute temperature at impractical locations.
- The thermopile temperature sensing system can estimate temperature associated with objects that contact the outer surface of the device, such as a user's skin temperature.
- The system can also estimate ambient air temperature.
- Temperature measurements from the thermopile temperature sensors can be used to compensate for sensor measurements that vary with temperature.
Potential Applications
- Temperature monitoring and control in electronic devices.
- Monitoring and regulating skin temperature in wearable devices.
- Environmental temperature monitoring in smart homes and buildings.
Problems Solved
- Inaccurate temperature measurements due to variations in sensor accuracy or reliability with temperature.
- Difficulty in measuring temperature at certain locations within a device.
Benefits
- Accurate estimation of temperatures inside and outside a device.
- Compensation for sensor measurement variations with temperature.
- Improved temperature monitoring and control in various applications.
Original Abstract Submitted
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.
