Abstract:
Systems and methods for monitoring the moisture to which an electronic device is exposed may alter or vary operation of the electronic device. Operation of the electronic device may be altered or varied to provide a notification that the electronic device has been exposed to moisture. When an electronic device is exposed to moisture, an operational mode of the electronic device may be changed. A change in the operational mode of the electronic device may include termination of the supply of power to one or more components, which may protect those components. Programs or apps that provide a user of the electronic device with information regarding exposure of the electronic device to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a moisture response threshold are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/734,779, filed on Jan. 4, 2013, and titled METHODS, APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING FOR EXPOSURE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO MOISTURE AND REACTING TO EXPOSURE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO MOISTURE (“the &#39;779 application”), now U.S. Pat. No. 9,071,046, issued Jun. 30, 2015. A claim for the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) was made in the &#39;779 application to the Jan. 10, 2012, filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/584,933, titled METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING AND REACTING TO EXPOSURE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO MOISTURE (“the &#39;933 provisional application”). The entire disclosures of the &#39;779 application and the &#39;933 provisional application are, by this reference, incorporated herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for monitoring for the exposure of electronic devices to moisture and for responding to exposure of electronic devices to moisture, and to electronic devices that employ such a method and/or system. 
     SUMMARY 
     A system that monitors for the exposure of an electronic device to moisture (e.g., liquid, vapor, etc.) (e.g., as moisture enters the electronic device through an entry point, such as a port, seam or crack; as the device is exposed to air with a high vapor content; etc.) may be configured to alter or vary operation of the electronic device. Similarly, in a method for monitoring for the exposure of an electronic device to moisture, the manner in which the electronic device operates may be varied or altered if a predetermined amount of moisture is detected. Various aspects relating to systems and methods for monitoring for the exposure of electronic devices to moisture are disclosed. 
     The term “moisture” is used throughout this disclosure to refer to a variety of liquids and vapors. Without limitation, moisture may include water, aqueous solutions (e.g., salt solutions, acidic solutions, basic solutions, drinks, etc.) or vapors of water or other aqueous materials (e.g., humidity, fogs, mists, etc.). Moisture may also include organic liquids and vapors (e.g., organic solvents, low molecular weight organic compounds, etc.), including electrically conductive organic materials, as well as a variety of other substances or conditions that might pose a threat to an electronic device or its components. 
     In one aspect, the disclosure relates to moisture response systems. A moisture response system may be configured to monitor the amount of moisture to which an electronic device is exposed. A moisture response system may be used in conjunction with or be incorporated into a variety of different types of electronic devices, including, without limitation, portable electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, smart phones, e-readers, tablet computers, laptop computers, and the like; electronic devices that are expected to be used in environments where exposure to moisture is possible or even likely, such as electronic devices used in agricultural equipment, irrigation, public safety, military, the oil and gas industry, transportation (e.g., by railways, in trucking, etc.), maritime applications; and electronic devices that are used in a variety of other applications. 
     In some embodiments, a moisture response system may include a moisture sensor, a control element, a warning element and a switch. The control element, the warning element, the switch, a power supply for these features and electrical connections and other components of a moisture response system may be made moisture resistant (e.g., covered with a moisture-resistant coating, etc.). The moisture sensor may also be moisture resistant (e.g., portions of the moisture sensor (i.e., the parts that are not configured to detect moisture), may be sealed, covered with a moisture-resistant coating, etc.). 
     The moisture sensor enables monitoring of the amount of moisture in an environment where the moisture sensor, and any electronic device with which it is associated (or is a part), is located. The moisture sensor may be located within an electronic device, exposed to the interior of the electronic device or exposed to an exterior of the electronic device. 
     The control element may control operation of other components of the moisture response system. The control element may be dedicated to the moisture response system, or it may comprise a processing element of the electronic device with which the moisture response system is used. 
     The warning element, which may operate under control of the control element, may be configured to generate one or more signals indicative of exposure of the electronic device to moisture. In some embodiments, the warning element may be configured to notify an individual using the electronic device that the electronic device has been exposed to an above-ambient amount of moisture, that the amount of moisture to which the electronic device has been exposed exceeds a per-exposure threshold, that the cumulative amount of moisture to which the electronic device has been exposed over a period of time (e.g., the life of the electronic device, the past year, the past six months, the past month, etc.) has exceeded a total acceptable exposure amount, the amount of moisture to which the electronic device has been exposed (e.g., the type of moisture to which the electronic device is currently exposed, the amount of moisture to which the electronic device is currently exposed, the amount of time the electronic device was/is exposed to moisture during a particular moisture-exposure event, the total amount of time the electronic device has been exposed to moisture over a period of time (e.g., the life of the electronic device, the past year, the past six months, the past month, etc.), the number of times the electronic device has been exposed to moisture, etc.), other information about exposure of the electronic device to moisture or any combination of the foregoing. Any of the moisture thresholds mentioned above may be referred to herein as a “moisture response threshold.” In embodiments where the electronic device is configured for wireless communication (e.g., a mobile telephone, a smart phone, a tablet computing device, a portable digital music player, a radio, a wireless automobile entry device (i.e., key), etc.), the warning element may be configured to notify a remote monitoring service that the electronic device has been exposed to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds the moisture response threshold. 
     The switch, which may operate under control of the moisture sensor or the control element, may be configured to move between a normal position and a moisture response position. With the switch in the normal position, the electronic device may operate normally; the switch allows power to flow from a power supply of the electronic device to its primary electronic components (e.g., electronic components that enable the electronic device to function as intended, etc.). In the moisture response position, the switch may terminate the communication of power from a power supply to at least some of the circuitry of the electronic device (e.g., electronic components that enable the electronic device to function as intended, etc.). In some embodiments, when the switch is in its moisture response position, it may allow power to be communicated from the power supply to a remainder of the moisture response system. 
     In some embodiments, a change in the orientation of the switch may cause a mechanical action in the electronic device that may temporarily seal one or more of its moisture-sensitive components from exposure to the moisture that has been detected. 
     According to another aspect, an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device of a known type, may additionally include a moisture sensor. The moisture sensor may be associated with other components of the electronic device (e.g., a housing, a display, other user interface components, internal components, a power supply, etc.) in such a way as to monitor exposure of the electronic device, or one or more of its components, to moisture. In some embodiments, the moisture sensor may be part of a moisture response system, which may also include a switch and, in some embodiments, a dedicated control element, a warning element or other features or combinations of features. 
     In another aspect, methods for responding to exposure of an electronic device to amounts of moisture that meet or exceed the moisture response threshold include monitoring an amount of moisture to which the electronic device is exposed. Monitoring may occur continuously or periodically. If the amount of moisture exceeds a predetermined moisture response threshold, a normal operational mode of the electronic device may be terminated, and a moisture response mode of the electronic device may be initiated. 
     As an electronic device exits its normal operational mode, the supply of power from a power supply (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor, a fuel cell, a photovoltaic cell, etc.) to one or more components of the electronic device may be terminated. Termination of the supply of power to these components may protect them from damage (e.g., damage from short circuits that may be caused by water, other types of moisture, etc.). In some embodiments, this moisture-response mode of the electronic device may include a complete shut-down of the electronic device. In other embodiments, the moisture response mode of the electronic device may comprise a safe mode, in which certain components of the electronic device (e.g., components that have been made moisture-resistant, components that are unlikely to fail when exposed to moisture, etc.) may continue to operate. In some embodiments, operation of the electronic device in the safe mode may enable a moisture response system to continue operation, while all other components of the electronic device (i.e., those that do not participate in the moisture response system) may shut down. 
     As an electronic device enters the safe mode, or moisture response mode, the electronic device or a moisture response system associated with the electronic device may generate a notification. Without limitation, the notification may include a user-perceptible warning, the generation and transmittal of a signal to a remote monitoring service (e.g., by way of an e-mail, an SMS text message, an MMS text message, etc.), or a combination of these services. 
     In embodiments where moisture monitoring continues while an electronic device is in the moisture response mode, once the amount of moisture to which the electronic device is exposed drops to an acceptable level, the electronic device may be enabled to resume full operation. In such an embodiment, when the amount of moisture detected drops to or below a predetermined reset threshold, which may be the same as or different from the moisture response threshold, the moisture response mode of the electronic device may be terminated, and the normal operational mode of the electronic device may be reinitiated. 
     Programs or applications (or “apps”) that are launched or executed in response to detection of amounts of moisture that meet or exceed a moisture response threshold are also disclosed. Such a program or application may perform functions that relate to exposure of an electronic device to moisture. By way of non-limiting example, a program or application that is executed or launched upon exposure of an electronic device to moisture may provide a user with information about exposure of the electronic device to moisture. Such information may include, but is not limited to, information on the amount of moisture to which an electronic device has been exposed, information on prior exposure of the electronic device to moisture, cumulative moisture exposure information, diagnostic information and/or historic information. As another non-limiting example, a program or application that launches, or executes, upon exposure of an electronic device to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a predetermined moisture response threshold may provide a user with information on moisture-resistant elements of the electronic device (e.g., the last time a moisture-resistant coating was applied to components of the electronic device, etc.). 
     Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various aspects, of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art though consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a moisture response system; and 
         FIG. 2  schematically depicts an embodiment of an electronic device that includes a moisture sensor and, optionally, a moisture response system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a moisture response system  10  is illustrated. The moisture response system  10 , which is configured for use with an electronic device (e.g., a portable electronic device, an electronic device that is expected to be used in an environment where exposure to moisture is likely or even expected, etc.), may be configured to monitor the amount of moisture to which the electronic device is exposed. In the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 1 , the moisture response system  10  includes a moisture sensor  12 , a control element  14 , a warning element  16  and a switch  18 . In some embodiments, the moisture response system  10  may include a dedicated power source (e.g., a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a battery, etc.). 
     The moisture sensor  12  enables monitoring of the amount of moisture in an environment where the moisture sensor  12  is located. The moisture sensor  12  may be configured for assembly with an electronic device. The moisture sensor  12  (and other components of the moisture response system  10 ) may be configured to operate regardless of whether the electronic device is powered on (e.g., in embodiments where the moisture response system  10  receives power from a backup power supply of the electronic device, a dedicated power source, etc.). Various embodiments of moisture sensors  12  may be used in a moisture response system  10  that incorporates teachings of this disclosure. As a non-limiting example, the moisture sensor  12  may comprise a digital humidity sensor, such as those available from Silicon Laboratories Inc. of Austin, Tex. (e.g., the SILICON LABS Si7005 humidity and temperature sensor, etc.) and Sensirion AG of Staefa, Switzerland (e.g., Sensirion&#39;s model SHT21 digital humidity and temperature sensor, etc.). 
     The moisture sensor  12  may communicate with the control element  14  of the moisture response system  10 . The control element  14  may be configured to process signals from the moisture sensor  12  and, upon detecting signals indicative of certain conditions (e.g., an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a predetermined moisture response threshold, an amount of moisture at or below a predetermined reset threshold, etc.), execute commands that control operation of other components of the moisture response system  10 . The control element  14  may comprise a dedicated processing element (e.g., a microcontroller with embedded firmware, etc.) or it may comprise a processor of an electronic device with which the moisture response system  10  is associated. 
     One of the components of the moisture response system  10  that may operate under control of the control element  14  is the warning element  16 . The warning element  16  may comprise a simple user-perceptible alarm, which may be configured to alert a user of the electronic device of its exposure to moisture. In such an embodiment, the warning element  16  may comprise a visible alarm, an audible alarm, a vibrating alarm or the like. In some embodiments, the warning element  16  may comprise a display or monitor (e.g., the display or monitor of an electronic device with which the moisture response system  10  is associated, or of which the moisture response system  10  is a part, etc.), which may display a warning. In embodiments where the warning element  16  comprises a display or monitor, it may provide a user interface (e.g., display images, receive inputs (when the display or monitor is touch-sensitive), etc.) with the control element  14  while the control element  14  executes a program, or application or “app,” in response to detection by the moisture sensor  12  of an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a moisture response threshold. In embodiments where the control element  14  launches a program or application in response to detection of an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds the moisture response threshold, the warning element  16  may display information that relates to exposure of an electronic device to moisture. By way of non-limiting example, a program or application that is executed or launched upon exposure of an electronic device may provide a user with information about exposure of the electronic device to moisture. Such information may include, but is not limited to, information on the amount of moisture to which an electronic device has been exposed, information on prior exposure of the electronic device to moisture, cumulative moisture exposure information, diagnostic information, historical information, other information that relates to exposure of the electronic device to moisture or combinations of any of the foregoing. The information provided to the user may also be stored locally on the electronic device, and remain available for subsequent access by a user of that electronic device. As another example, a program or application that launches upon exposure of an electronic device to moisture in an amount that meets or exceeds a moisture response threshold may provide a user with information on one or more moisture-resistant features of the electronic device (e.g., the last time a moisture-resistant coating was applied to components of the electronic device, etc.). In another example, the control element  14  may execute a program or an application that provides a user with instructions on how to minimize moisture-related damage to the electronic device with which the moisture response system  10  is associated; e.g., instructions on a protocol for removing moisture from, or drying, the specific electronic device with which the moisture response system  10  is associated. Other examples of information that the control element  14  may cause the warning element  16  to provide to a user include, but are not limited to, warranty information, repair information, advertisements relating to mitigating the effects of potential damage from exposure of the electronic device to moisture and other moisture-related information. 
     The warning element  16  may comprise a wireless communication element, and may be configured to transmit a signal to a remote monitoring service. Without limitation, such a warning element  16  may comprise a wireless communication element. A wireless communication element may comprise a primary communication element of the electronic device with which the moisture response system  10  is associated, or it may comprise a dedicated wireless communication system. In either embodiment, under control of the control element  14 , the warning element  16  may identify an appropriate recipient for information regarding exposure of the electronic device to an above-ambient amount of moisture, and transmit that information to its intended recipient. A wireless communication element may be configured to operate at a frequency in the range of about 100 kHz to about 100 GHz (e.g., 100 MHz to 3 GHz, 100 kHz to 5 GHz, 1 GHz to 70 GHz, etc.). A wireless communication element may be configured to communicate by a radiofrequency (RF) communication scheme, such as GSM, TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multiple access), LTE (long term evaluation), 3G, 4G, NFC (near field communications) or the like. Alternatively, a wireless communication element may be configured to communicate by optical means, such as an infrared (IR) signal, an optical local area network (LAN) system, an optical personal area network (PAN) system or the like. Examples of wireless communication elements include, without limitation, radiofrequency (RF) communication components, such as cellular transmitters, Bluetooth transmitters or the like, WiFi transmitters (i.e., systems operating on IEEE 802.xxx protocols) or the like. 
     The switch  18  may also operate in accordance with signals from the control element  14 . Alternatively, the switch  18  may be controlled directly by signals from the moisture sensor  12 . In either event, the switch  18  may limit the communication of power from a power supply  20  ( FIG. 2 ) (e.g., a primary battery, a rechargeable battery, a back-up battery, a dedicated battery, a supercapacitor, a fuel cell, a photovoltaic cell, etc.) to moisture-sensitive components (e.g., electronic components, etc.) of the electronic device with which the moisture response system  10  is associated, or of which the moisture response system  10  is a part. In some embodiments, the control element  14  may be configured (e.g., programmed, etc.) to determine the orientation of the switch  18  and, thus, the portions of the electronic device and/or the moisture response system  10  to which power is to be terminated. 
     The switch  18  may have a normal position, or orientation, and at least one moisture response position, or orientation. When the switch  18  is in the normal position, the electronic device may operate normally; the switch  18  allows power to flow from a power supply  20  ( FIG. 2 ) of the electronic device to its primary electronic components (e.g., electronic components that enable the electronic device to function as intended, etc.). When in a moisture response position, the switch  18  may terminate the communication of power from the power supply  20  to at least some of the circuitry of the electronic device (e.g., electronic components that enable the electronic device to function as intended, one or more communication ports, displays, sensors, cameras, speakers, microphones, etc.). In some embodiments, when the switch  18  is in a moisture response position, it may allow power to be communicated from the power supply  20  to a remainder of the moisture response system  10 . If operation of the primary power supply of the electronic device is adversely affected by the moisture, power may be communicated to the remainder of the moisture response system  10  by way of a backup battery, a capacitor, supercapacitor or battery dedicated to the moisture response system  10 , etc. 
     One or more of the control element  14 , the warning element  16 , the switch  18 , the power supply  20  and electrical connections and other components of a moisture response system  10  may be rendered resistant to one or more types of moisture (e.g., to water, aqueous solutions, water vapor, vapors of aqueous solutions, organic liquids or vapors, etc.). For example, one or more of these components may be covered with a moisture-resistant coating  22 , such as a coating that is impermeable or substantially impermeable to moisture (e.g., a substituted or unsubstituted poly(p-xylylene) polymer (i.e., a parylene, etc.), etc.) a moisture-repellant coating, etc. The moisture sensor  12  may also be moisture resistant (e.g., portions of the moisture sensor (i.e., the parts that are not configured to detect moisture) may be covered with a moisture-resistant coating, etc.). 
       FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of an electronic device  30  that includes a moisture sensor  12 , as well as a housing  32 , a display  34 , its primary electronic components (e.g., electronic components that enable the electronic device to function as intended, such as processors, wireless communication elements, input and/or output elements, transducers, etc.) and any other electronic and/or mechanical components. In some embodiments, such as that depicted by  FIG. 2 , the moisture sensor  12  is part of a moisture response system  10 , such as that shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The electronic device  30  may comprise a portable electronic device, an electronic device that is expected to be used in an environment where exposure to moisture is likely or even expected, or any of a variety of other types of electronic devices. The housing  32  and display  34  define at least part of an exterior of the electronic device  30 . The moisture sensor  12  may, in some embodiments, be located or at least exposed to the exterior of the electronic device  30 . In other embodiments, the moisture sensor  12  may be located within an interior of the electronic device  30 , along with other components of the moisture response system  10  ( FIG. 1 ), if any, the primary electronic components of the electronic device  30  and a power supply  20 , which provides power to various electronic components of the electronic device  30 . Without limitation, the primary electronic components of the electronic device  30  may include a processing element  36  (e.g., microprocessor, etc.), a wireless communication system  38  (which may include at least one antenna) and other electronic and/or mechanical components  40  (e.g., transducers, such as speakers, microphones, etc.; vibrators; fans; etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, a switch  18  is disposed between the power supply  20  and the primary electronic components, and between the power supply  20  and the moisture sensor  12  and any other components of the moisture response system  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device  30  may also include one or more moisture-resistant coatings  22 . A moisture-resistant coating  22  may cover all or part of an exterior of the electronic device  30 , all or part of surfaces that are internally confined within the electronic device  30  (e.g., surfaces of components or combinations of components within the interior of the electronic device  30 , etc.) or both external and internal surfaces. 
     Various embodiments of methods for responding to exposure of an electronic device  30  to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a moisture response threshold (e.g., a predetermined, unsafe level of moisture, such as 95% relative humidity or greater, exposure to water or another electrically conductive material in liquid form, etc.) may include monitoring an amount of moisture to which the electronic device is exposed (e.g., with a moisture sensor  12 , etc.). Monitoring may occur continuously or periodically. If the amount of moisture detected (e.g., by the moisture sensor  12 , etc.) meets or exceeds the moisture response threshold, a normal operational mode of the electronic device  30  may be terminated, and a moisture response mode of the electronic device  30  may be initiated. 
     As the electronic device  30  exits its normal operational mode, the supply of power from a power supply  20  to one or more electronic components of the electronic device  30  may be terminated. The moisture-response mode of an electronic device  30  may interrupt charging of a power source of the electronic device  30 . In some embodiments, this moisture-response mode of the electronic device  30  may include a complete shut-down of the electronic device  30 . In other embodiments, the moisture response mode of the electronic device  30  may comprise a safe mode, in which certain components (e.g., primary electronic components that have been made moisture resistant, components that are unlikely to fail when exposed to moisture, etc.) of the electronic device  30  may continue to operate. In some embodiments, operation of the electronic device  30  in the safe mode may enable the moisture sensor  12  or other components of the moisture response system  10 , if any, to continue operation, while the communication of power from the power supply  20  to any primary electronic components that do not participate in the moisture response system may be terminated. 
     As an electronic device  30  enters the safe mode, or moisture response mode, the electronic device  30  or a moisture response system  10  associated with the electronic device  30  may generate a notification. The notification may include a user-perceptible warning, the generation and transmittal of a signal to a remote monitoring service or a combination of these services. Without limitation, a remote monitoring service may include the manufacturer, vendor or an owner or user of the electronic device, a party that has been engaged to monitor, update, service or repair the electronic device, a party that provides warranty coverage for or insures the electronic device, or any other suitable party. 
     A user-perceptible warning may be provided by a physical indicator (e.g., sight, sound, motion, etc.) on the electronic device. Alternatively, a warning may be remotely transmitted to a user or a monitoring service (e.g., as a text message, an e-mail, an instant message, a telephone call or any other suitable form of automated electronic communication). Such a warning may merely indicate that a particular electronic device has been exposed to moisture, or it may include other information, such as information about the time at which the electronic device was exposed to moisture, the type of moisture to which the electronic device has been exposed, the extent of exposure, the duration of the exposure, the number of times the electronic device has been exposed to moisture (i.e., a tally), the cumulative duration of exposure of the electronic device to moisture, the geographic location of the electronic device at the time of exposure, warranty information, contact information for the user and/or owner of the electronic device, information on any prior exposure of the electronic device to moisture and any other relevant information about exposure of the electronic device to moisture. With such information, the recipient may use the information themselves or assist the user of the electronic device, record the information that has been received and/or schedule a reminder to follow up with the user. 
     In embodiments where moisture monitoring continues while an electronic device  30  is in moisture response mode, the electronic device  30  may be allowed to resume full operation once an acceptable level of moisture (e.g., a predetermined reset threshold, an amount of moisture below a predetermined moisture response threshold, etc.) is detected. In such an embodiment, when the amount of moisture detected drops to or below a predetermined reset threshold, a predetermined moisture response threshold or any other suitable reset condition or combination of reset conditions have been met, the moisture response mode of the electronic device  30  may be exited, and the normal operational mode of the electronic device  30  may resume. Resumption of normal, or full, operation of the electronic device  30  may be automatic upon occurrence of the reset condition(s), or resetting of the electronic device  30  may occur when an individual (e.g., a user, an administrator, etc.) causes normal operation of the electronic device  30  to resume (e.g., following an inspection, etc.). 
     Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the appended claims, but merely as providing information pertinent to some specific embodiments that may fall within the scopes of the appended claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. In addition, other embodiments may also be devised which lie within the scopes of the appended claims. The scope of each claim is, therefore, indicated and limited only by its plain language and the legal equivalents to the recited elements. All additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosed subject matter that fall within the meaning and scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.