Patent Description:
Measurements of air cleanliness levels are performed in a limited number of places designated by a specific institution. However, recently, the importance of air cleanliness levels has been on the rise, and thus, a gas sensor may be mounted to mobile electronic devices (e.g., smartphones). Conventional gas sensors integrated in mobile electronic devices are disclosed in documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

In the case where a gas sensor is mounted to an electronic device, a hole for direct connection with the outside is required. However, the recent design of a mobile electronic device has a tendency to reduce holes formed on the outside thereof.

Various examples of the disclosure propose a structure in which a gas sensor is integrally formed with an earphone jack in an electronic device. In addition, various examples propose an electronic device configured to perform functions, based on information obtained through a gas sensor.

An electronic device according to the invention as claimed includes: a housing having a hole formed therethrough; an earphone jack built in the housing so as to receive an earphone plug therein through the hole; a gas sensor integrally formed with the earphone jack; a memory positioned inside the housing; and a processor positioned inside the housing and electrically connected to the earphone jack, the gas sensor, and the memory, wherein the memory stores instructions that cause, when executed, the processor to: control the gas sensor so as to obtain data related to a specific component of outside air; and calculate a cleanliness level of the outside air, based on at least one piece of data obtained by the gas sensor before a predetermined measurement disturbance element is generated or data obtained by the gas sensor after the measurement disturbance element is removed, and adjust a measurement period of the gas sensor, based on the calculated cleanliness level.

A method for operating an electronic device according to the invention as claimed includes the steps of: controlling the gas sensor so as to obtain data related to a specific component of outside air; calculating a cleanliness level of the outside air, based on at least one piece of data obtained by the gas sensor before a predetermined measurement disturbance element is generated or data obtained by the gas sensor after the measurement disturbance element is removed, and adjusting a measurement period of the gas sensor, based on the calculated cleanliness level.

Further advantageous features are defined in the dependent claims.

The invention as claimed provides a mobile electronic device capable of measuring gas through a gas sensor integrally formed with an earphone jack without providing a separate hole for the gas sensor. In addition, various examples of the disclosure are able to provide an electronic device configured to perform functions, based on the information obtained through a gas sensor.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to various examples. According to an example, the electronic device <NUM> may communicate with the electronic device <NUM> via the server <NUM>. According to an example, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a sound output device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module(SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. In some examples, at least one (e.g., the display device <NUM> or the camera module <NUM>) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. In some examples, some of the components may be implemented as single integrated circuitry.

According to one example, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor <NUM> may load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> or the communication module <NUM>) in volatile memory <NUM>, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory <NUM>, and store resulting data in non-volatile memory <NUM>. According to an example, the processor <NUM> may include a main processor <NUM> (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor <NUM>.

According to an example, the auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module <NUM> or the communication module <NUM>) functionally related to the auxiliary processor <NUM>.

According to an example, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

According to an example, the display device <NUM> may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, or sensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch.

According to an example, the audio module <NUM> may obtain the sound via the input device <NUM>, or output the sound via the sound output device <NUM> or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device <NUM>) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device <NUM>.

The sensor module <NUM> may detect the operation state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device <NUM> or the external environmental state (e.g., the user state), and may generate an electrical signal or a data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an example, the sensor module <NUM> may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor (e.g., an electronic nose sensor), or an illuminance sensor. In a certain example, a plurality of sensors (e.g., a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a gas sensor) may be integrated into one sensor.

According to an example, the interface <NUM> may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

According to an example, the connecting terminal <NUM> may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

According to an example, the haptic module <NUM> may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.

According to an example, the camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

According to one example, the power management module <NUM> may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

According to an example, the battery <NUM> may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

According to an example, the communication module <NUM> may include a wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module <NUM> (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module).

According to an example, the antenna module <NUM> may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., PCB). According to an example, the antenna module <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas. According to an example, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module <NUM>.

According to an example, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device <NUM> via the server <NUM> coupled with the second network <NUM>. According to an example, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device <NUM> may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram <NUM> illustrating the audio module <NUM> according to various examples. Referring to <FIG>, the audio module <NUM> may include, for example, an audio input interface <NUM>, an audio input mixer <NUM>, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) <NUM>, an audio signal processor <NUM>, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) <NUM>, an audio output mixer <NUM>, or an audio output interface <NUM>.

The audio input interface <NUM> may receive an audio signal corresponding to a sound obtained from the outside of the electronic device <NUM> via a microphone (e.g., a dynamic microphone, a condenser microphone, or a piezo microphone) that is configured as part of the input device <NUM> or separately from the electronic device <NUM>. For example, if an audio signal is obtained from the external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., a headset or a microphone), the audio input interface <NUM> may be connected with the external electronic device <NUM> directly via the connecting terminal <NUM>, or wirelessly (e.g., Bluetooth™ communication) via the wireless communication module <NUM> to receive the audio signal. According to an example, the audio input interface <NUM> may receive a control signal (e.g., a volume adjustment signal received via an input button) related to the audio signal obtained from the external electronic device <NUM>. The audio input interface <NUM> may include a plurality of audio input channels and may receive a different audio signal via a corresponding one of the plurality of audio input channels, respectively. According to an example, additionally or alternatively, the audio input interface <NUM> may receive an audio signal from another component (e.g., the processor <NUM> or the memory <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM>.

The audio input mixer <NUM> may synthesize a plurality of inputted audio signals into at least one audio signal. For example, according to an example, the audio input mixer <NUM> may synthesize a plurality of analog audio signals inputted via the audio input interface <NUM> into at least one analog audio signal.

The ADC <NUM> may convert an analog audio signal into a digital audio signal. For example, according to an example, the ADC <NUM> may convert an analog audio signal received via the audio input interface <NUM> or, additionally or alternatively, an analog audio signal synthesized via the audio input mixer <NUM> into a digital audio signal.

The audio signal processor <NUM> may perform various processing on a digital audio signal received via the ADC <NUM> or a digital audio signal received from another component of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, according to an example, the audio signal processor <NUM> may perform changing a sampling rate, applying one or more filters, interpolation processing, amplifying or attenuating a whole or partial frequency bandwidth, noise processing (e.g., attenuating noise or echoes), changing channels (e.g., switching between mono and stereo), mixing, or extracting a specified signal for one or more digital audio signals. According to an example, one or more functions of the audio signal processor <NUM> may be implemented in the form of an equalizer.

The DAC <NUM> may convert a digital audio signal into an analog audio signal. For example, according to an example, the DAC <NUM> may convert a digital audio signal processed by the audio signal processor <NUM> or a digital audio signal obtained from another component (e.g., the processor(<NUM>) or the memory(<NUM>)) of the electronic device <NUM> into an analog audio signal.

The audio output mixer <NUM> may synthesize a plurality of audio signals, which are to be outputted, into at least one audio signal. For example, according to an example, the audio output mixer <NUM> may synthesize an analog audio signal converted by the DAC <NUM> and another analog audio signal (e.g., an analog audio signal received via the audio input interface <NUM>) into at least one analog audio signal.

The audio output interface <NUM> may output an analog audio signal converted by the DAC <NUM> or, additionally or alternatively, an analog audio signal synthesized by the audio output mixer <NUM> to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> via the sound output device <NUM>. The sound output device <NUM> may include, for example, a speaker, such as a dynamic driver or a balanced armature driver, or a receiver. According to an example, the sound output device <NUM> may include a plurality of speakers. In such a case, the audio output interface <NUM> may output audio signals having a plurality of different channels (e.g., stereo channels or <NUM> channels) via at least some of the plurality of speakers. According to an example, the audio output interface <NUM> may be connected with the external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., an external speaker or a headset) directly via the connecting terminal <NUM> or wirelessly via the wireless communication module <NUM> to output an audio signal.

According to an example, the audio module <NUM> may generate, without separately including the audio input mixer <NUM> or the audio output mixer <NUM>, at least one digital audio signal by synthesizing a plurality of digital audio signals using at least one function of the audio signal processor <NUM>.

According to an example, the audio module <NUM> may include an audio amplifier (not shown) (e.g., a speaker amplifying circuit) that is capable of amplifying an analog audio signal inputted via the audio input interface <NUM> or an audio signal that is to be outputted via the audio output interface <NUM>. According to an example, the audio amplifier may be configured as a module separate from the audio module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram <NUM> illustrating the program <NUM> according to various examples. According to an example, the program <NUM> may include an operating system (OS) <NUM> to control one or more resources of the electronic device <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, or an application <NUM> executable in the OS <NUM>. The OS <NUM> may include, for example, Android™, iOS™, Windows™, Symbian™, Tizen™, or Bada™. At least part of the program <NUM>, for example, may be pre-loaded on the electronic device <NUM> during manufacture, or may be downloaded from or updated by an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>, or the server <NUM>) during use by a user.

The OS <NUM> may control management (e.g., allocating or deallocation) of one or more system resources (e.g., process, memory, or power source) of the electronic device <NUM>. The OS <NUM>, additionally or alternatively, may include one or more driver programs to drive other hardware devices of the electronic device <NUM>, for example, the input device <NUM>, the sound output device <NUM>, the display device <NUM>, the audio module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the interface <NUM>, the haptic module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, the power management module <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, the communication module <NUM>, the subscriber identification module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>.

The middleware <NUM> may provide various functions to the application <NUM> such that a function or information provided from one or more resources of the electronic device <NUM> may be used by the application <NUM>. The middleware <NUM> may include, for example, an application manager <NUM>, a window manager <NUM>, a multimedia manager <NUM>, a resource manager <NUM>, a power manager <NUM>, a database manager <NUM>, a package manager <NUM>, a connectivity manager <NUM>, a notification manager <NUM>, a location manager <NUM>, a graphic manager <NUM>, a security manager <NUM>, a telephony manager <NUM>, or a voice recognition manager <NUM>.

The application manager <NUM>, for example, may manage the life cycle of the application <NUM>. The window manager <NUM>, for example, may manage one or more graphical user interface (GUI) resources that are used on a screen. The multimedia manager <NUM>, for example, may identify one or more formats to be used to play media files, and may encode or decode a corresponding one of the media files using a codec appropriate for a corresponding format selected from the one or more formats. The resource manager <NUM>, for example, may manage the source code of the application <NUM> or a memory space of the memory <NUM>. The power manager <NUM>, for example, may manage the capacity, temperature, or power of the battery <NUM>, and determine or provide related information to be used for the operation of the electronic device <NUM> based at least in part on corresponding information of the capacity, temperature, or power of the battery <NUM>. According to an example, the power manager <NUM> may interwork with a basic input/output system (BIOS) (not shown) of the electronic device <NUM>.

The database manager <NUM>, for example, may generate, search, or change a database to be used by the application <NUM>. The package manager <NUM>, for example, may manage installation or update of an application that is distributed in the form of a package file. The connectivity manager <NUM>, for example, may manage a wireless connection or a direct connection between the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device. The notification manager <NUM>, for example, may provide a function to notify a user of an occurrence of a specified event (e.g., an incoming call, message, or alert). The location manager <NUM>, for example, may manage locational information on the electronic device <NUM>. The graphic manager <NUM>, for example, may manage one or more graphic effects to be offered to a user or a user interface related to the one or more graphic effects.

The security manager <NUM>, for example, may provide system security or user authentication. The telephony manager <NUM>, for example, may manage a voice call function or a video call function provided by the electronic device <NUM>. The voice recognition manager <NUM>, for example, may transmit a user's voice data to the server <NUM>, and receive, from the server <NUM>, a command corresponding to a function to be executed on the electronic device <NUM> based at least in part on the voice data, or text data converted based at least in part on the voice data. According to an example, the middleware <NUM> may dynamically delete some existing components or add new components. According to an example, at least part of the middleware <NUM> may be included as part of the OS <NUM> or may be implemented as another software separate from the OS <NUM>.

The application <NUM> may include, for example, a home <NUM>, dialer <NUM>, short message service (SMS)/multimedia messaging service (MMS) <NUM>, instant message (IM) <NUM>, browser <NUM>, camera <NUM>, alarm <NUM>, contact <NUM>, voice recognition <NUM>, email <NUM>, calendar <NUM>, media player <NUM>, album <NUM>, watch <NUM>, health <NUM> (e.g., for measuring the degree of workout or biometric information, such as blood sugar), or environmental information <NUM> (e.g., for measuring air pressure, humidity, or temperature information) application. According to an example, the application <NUM> may further include an information exchanging application (not shown) that is capable of supporting information exchange between the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device. The information exchange application, for example, may include a notification relay application adapted to transfer designated information (e.g., a call, message, or alert) to the external electronic device or a device management application adapted to manage the external electronic device. The notification relay application may transfer notification information corresponding to an occurrence of a specified event (e.g., receipt of an email) at another application (e.g., the email application <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM> to the external electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the notification relay application may receive notification information from the external electronic device and provide the notification information to a user of the electronic device <NUM>.

The device management application may control the power (e.g., turn-on or turn-off) or the function (e.g., adjustment of brightness, resolution, or focus) of the external electronic device or some component thereof (e.g., a display device or a camera module of the external electronic device). The device management application, additionally or alternatively, may support installation, delete, or update of an application running on the external electronic device.

The electronic device according to various examples may be one of various types of electronic devices. According to an example of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above.

It should be appreciated that various examples of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular examples and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding example. As used herein, such terms as "1st" and "2nd," or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other example (e.g., importance or order).

For example, according to an example, the module may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various examples as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program <NUM>) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory <NUM> or external memory <NUM>) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>).

According to an example, a method according to various examples of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product.

According to various examples, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities. According to various examples, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. In such a case, according to various examples, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration. According to various examples, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the front of a mobile electronic device according to an example, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the rear of the electronic device shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) according to an example may include a housing <NUM> that includes a first (or front) surface 410A, a second (or rear) surface 410B, and a side surface 410C surrounding the space between the first surface 410A and the second surface 410B. In another example (not shown), the housing may refer to a structure that forms a portion of the first surface 410A, the second surface 410B, and the side surface 410C in <FIG>. According to an example, the first surface 410A may be formed as a front plate <NUM> of which at least a portion is substantially transparent (e.g., a glass plate or a polymer plate including various coating layers). The second surface 410B may be formed as a rear plate <NUM> that is substantially opaque. The rear plate <NUM> may be formed of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two thereof. The side surface 410C may be formed as a side bezel structure (or a "side member") <NUM> that is connected to the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> and includes metal and/or polymer. In a certain example, the rear plate <NUM> and the side bezel structure <NUM> may be integrally formed with each other, and may include the same material (e.g., a metal material such as aluminum).

According to an example, the electronic device <NUM> may include one or more of a display <NUM>, audio modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM>, camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, key input devices <NUM> , <NUM>, and <NUM>, an indicator <NUM>, and connector holes <NUM>, and <NUM>. In a certain example, the electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one of the elements (e.g., key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, or an indicator <NUM>), or may further include other elements.

The display <NUM> may be exposed, for example, through most part of the front plate <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be connected to a touch detection circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring the intensity (pressure) of touch, and/or a digitizer for detecting a magnetic field type stylus pen, or may be disposed adjacent thereto.

The audio modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a microphone hole <NUM> and speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>. Four microphones may be disposed inside the housing <NUM> (i.e., the space between the first surface 410A and the second surface 410B), thereby acquiring external sound through the microphone hole <NUM>. In a certain example, a plurality of microphones may be disposed inside the housing <NUM> to detect the direction of sound. For example, a first microphone may acquire external sound through a first microphone hole <NUM> formed on the lower side surface 410C_a in <FIG>. A second microphone may acquire external sound through a second microphone hole (not shown) formed on the upper side surface. The speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> may include an external speaker hole <NUM> and a call receiver hole <NUM>. In a certain example, the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> and the microphone hole <NUM> may be implemented as one hole, or a speaker may be provided without the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., piezo speakers).

The sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> may generate electrical signals or data values corresponding to the internal operation states of the electronic device <NUM> or the external environment states. The sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include, for example, a third sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a proximity sensor) and/or a second sensor module (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) (not shown), which are disposed on the first surface 410A of the housing <NUM>, and/or a third sensor module <NUM> (e.g., an HRM sensor) disposed on the second surface 410B of the housing <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed on the second surface 410B of the housing <NUM>, as well as on the first surface 410A thereof (e.g., a home key button <NUM>). The electronic device <NUM> may further include at least one of sensor modules, which are not illustrated, such as a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor (e.g., an electronic nose sensor), or an illuminance sensor. According to an example, a gas sensor may be disposed inside the housing <NUM>, and may detect components of outside air through the holes formed in the housing <NUM> (e.g., the first microphone holes <NUM> and <NUM>, the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>, or the connector holes <NUM> and <NUM>).

The camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a first camera device <NUM> disposed on the first surface 410A of the electronic device <NUM>, a second camera device <NUM>, and/or a flash <NUM>, which are disposed on the second surface 410B thereof. The camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or more lenses, image sensors, and/or image signal processors. The flash <NUM> may include, for example, a light-emitting diode or a xenon lamp. In a certain example, two or more lenses (wide-angle and telephoto lenses) and image sensors may be disposed on one surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

The key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a home key button <NUM> disposed on the first surface 410A of the housing <NUM>, a touch pad <NUM> disposed around the home key button <NUM>, and/or a side key button <NUM> disposed on the side surface 410C of the housing <NUM>. In another example, the electronic device <NUM> may exclude some or all of the key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> mentioned above, and the excluded key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be implemented in other forms, such as soft keys on the display <NUM>.

The indicator <NUM> may be disposed, for example, on the first surface 410A of the housing <NUM>. The indicator <NUM> may provide, for example, state information of the electronic device <NUM> in the form of light, and may include an LED.

The connector holes <NUM> and <NUM> may include a fourth connector hole <NUM> configured to receive a connector (e.g., a USB connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data to and from an external electronic device and/or a second connector hole <NUM> (e.g., an earphone jack) configured to receive a connector for transmitting and receiving audio signals to and from an external electronic device.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a mobile electronic device according to an example. Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) may include a side bezel structure <NUM>, a first support member <NUM> (e.g., a bracket), a front plate <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a second support member <NUM> (e.g., a rear case), an antenna <NUM>, and a rear plate <NUM>. In a certain example, an electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one of the elements (e.g., the first support member <NUM> or the second support member <NUM>), or may further include other elements. At least one of the elements of the electronic device <NUM> may be the same as or similar to at least one of the elements of the electronic device <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> or <FIG>, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted herein.

The side bezel structure <NUM> may constitute a side surface (e.g., the side surface 310C in <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>. The side bezel structure <NUM> may have one or more holes formed therein, and electronic components (e.g., a receiver, a speaker, a microphone, a sensor, a camera, or a connector) may be mounted thereto. The electronic components may be connected to the outside through the holes. Herein, "connecting" may mean visual exposure to the outside, contact with outside air, or an electrical (or physical) connection with an external electronic device.

The first support member <NUM> may be disposed inside the electronic device <NUM>, and may be connected or integrally formed with the side bezel structure <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> may be formed of, for example, a metal material and/or a non-metal material (e.g., polymer). The first support member <NUM> may have the display <NUM> coupled to one surface thereof and the printed circuit board <NUM> coupled to the opposite surface thereof. A processor, a memory, and/or an interface may be mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>. The processor may include, for example, one or more of a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphic processing unit, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor.

The memory may include, for example, a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory.

The interface may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, and/or an audio interface. The interface, for example, may electrically or physically connect the electronic device <NUM> to an external electronic device, and may include a USB connector, an SD card/MMC connector, or an audio connector.

The battery <NUM> is a device for supplying power to at least one of the elements of the electronic device <NUM>, and may include, for example, a non-rechargeable tertiary cell, a rechargeable secondary cell, or a fuel cell. For example, at least a portion of the battery <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed on substantially the same plane. The battery <NUM> may be disposed inside the electronic device <NUM> so as to be integral therewith, or may be disposed to be detachable therefrom.

The antenna <NUM> may be interposed between the rear plate <NUM> and the battery <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> may include, for example, a near-field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. The antenna <NUM>, for example, may perform short-range communication with an external device, or may transmit and receive wireless power required for charging. In another example, the antenna structure may be formed by a portion of the side bezel structure <NUM> and/or the first support member <NUM>, or a combination thereof.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing an earphone jack integrally formed with a gas sensor according to various examples. <FIG> and <FIG> are a perspective view showing an earphone jack before and after being sealed, respectively. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the earphone jack taken along the line A-A' in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the FPCB of the earphone jack in an inverted state in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an earphone jack <NUM> (e.g., the connector hole <NUM> in <FIG>) according to various examples may include a body <NUM>, a vent <NUM>, a frame <NUM>, a gas sensor <NUM>, an FPCB <NUM>, and a sealing member <NUM>.

According to various examples, the body <NUM> is positioned inside the housing so as to receive an earphone plug through an opening (e.g., the connector hole <NUM> in <FIG>) formed in the housing of the electronic device.

According to various examples, the body <NUM> may have a first hole <NUM> formed on the side surface <NUM> thereof so as to receive an earphone plug. In addition, a second hole <NUM> to be integrated with the gas sensor <NUM> may be formed on the front surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>. A passage <NUM> may be formed between the first hole <NUM> and the second hole <NUM>. In other words, the passage <NUM> may extend from the first hole <NUM> to the bottom surface of the second hole <NUM>, so that the outside air may be introduced into the second hole <NUM> through the first hole <NUM>.

According to various examples, one surface of the vent <NUM> may be attached to the bottom surface of the second hole <NUM> using a first adhesive member <NUM>, thereby blocking the passage <NUM>. Accordingly, outside air may be introduced into the second hole <NUM> through the vent <NUM>, whereas water is prevented from flowing thereinto.

According to various examples, the frame <NUM> may be used as a structure for positioning the gas sensor <NUM> in the second hole <NUM>. For example, both the front and rear surfaces of the frame <NUM> are open, and the front surface may be attached to the opposite surface of the vent <NUM> by a second adhesive member <NUM>. The gas sensor <NUM> may be inserted into the internal space <NUM> of the frame <NUM> through the open rear surface of the frame <NUM> while being mounted on one surface <NUM> of the FPCB <NUM>. The internal space <NUM> of the frame in which the gas sensor <NUM> is disposed may be minimized in order to speed up the reaction rate and recovery rate of the gas sensor <NUM> for outside air. As described above, in the case where the minimization of the internal space <NUM> is of the priority consideration, the gas sensor <NUM> may be inserted into the second hole <NUM> without the frame <NUM> while being mounted on the one surface <NUM> of the FPCB <NUM>.

According to various examples, the frame <NUM> may be made of a material configured to avoid outgassing into the internal space <NUM> inside the housing of the electronic device through the frame <NUM>. For example, gases may be generated from various electronic components positioned inside the housing of the electronic device, and if the frame <NUM> is made of a material that allows the gases to pass therethrough, the accuracy of the measurement may be unreliable. Accordingly, metal or polycarbonate (PC) may be used as a material for the frame <NUM> in order to block the introduction of the internal gases.

According to various examples, the first adhesive member <NUM> and the second adhesive member <NUM> may be implemented, for example, as double-sided tapes so as to attach the vent <NUM> to the bottom surface of the second hole <NUM> and attach the frame <NUM> to the vent <NUM>, respectively, while preventing outgassing from the inside of the housing of the electronic device to the gas sensor <NUM>.

According to various examples, the sealing member <NUM> is a structure for sealing the gas sensor <NUM> against the inside of the housing of the electronic device, and may be disposed on the front surface of the body <NUM>. For example, the sealing member <NUM> may be implemented using a plastic material (e.g., PA9T, PC, JE-<NUM>, etc.), and may cover the front surface of the body <NUM>, thereby preventing the gases generated from various electronic components positioned inside the housing of the electronic device from flowing into the gas sensor <NUM>. In addition, the sealing member <NUM> may be used as the structure for preventing external water from flowing into the gas sensor <NUM> and then into the inside of the housing of the electronic device through the terminals <NUM> formed on the wall of the first hole <NUM>, which are intended to come into contact with the terminals of the earphone plug.

According to various examples, the sealing member <NUM> may be obtained by coating a paste epoxy on the front surface of the body <NUM> and curing the same at a high temperature.

According to various examples, the FPCB <NUM> may be designed as the structure for sealing the gas sensor <NUM> against the water flowing into the first hole <NUM>. For example, as shown in the drawing, the FPCB <NUM> may have openings <NUM> formed in the form of a sandglass and a hole <NUM> between the openings. A portion of the epoxy applied to the front surface of the body <NUM> may flow into the second hole <NUM>, in which the gas sensor <NUM> is positioned, through the openings <NUM> and the hole <NUM>, and may then stay at the second hole <NUM>, thereby sealing the gas sensor <NUM> against external water as shown in <FIG>.

According to various examples, the terminals <NUM> formed in the first hole <NUM> and the gas sensor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electronic components {e.g., the processor (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) and the audio module (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>)} mounted on the main board (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>). For example, the FPCB <NUM> may have a connector <NUM> formed thereon so as to be electrically connected to the main board of the electronic device as shown in <FIG>. The terminals <NUM> and the gas sensor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the main board through the connector <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating operations of an electronic device having a gas sensor according to various examples.

Referring to <FIG>, the following operations according to various examples may be executed by a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) of the electronic device having an earphone jack integrally formed with a gas sensor as shown in <FIG>.

According to various examples, the processor may recognize the occurrence of an event that triggers the launch of measurement of gas in operation <NUM>.

In an example, the event may be a specified time (e.g., <NUM>:<NUM> pm). In other words, the arrival of a specified time may be recognized as the occurrence of the event.

In another example, the event may be a specified place (e.g., home). For example, if the processor obtains location information of the electronic device through a wireless communication module (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>), and if the obtained location information corresponds to a specified place, the processor may recognize the arrival of the specified place as the occurrence of the event.

In another example, the event may be a user input for triggering measurement of gas. For example, the user input may be a user's selection for a measurement start button displayed on the display. In addition, the user input may be a voice for requesting measurement of gas, which is received through a microphone.

In another example, the event may be a call request signal to be received from or transmitted to the outside through a wireless communication module (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>). That is, the processor may recognize the reception or transmission of a call request signal as the occurrence of the event. For example, in the electronic device having an earphone jack (e.g., the earphone jack in <FIG>) integrally formed with a gas sensor (e.g., the electronic device shown in <FIG>, which has the microphone hole and the earphone hole formed on the same side surface), the processor may recognize a call request signal as an event for initiating the measurement of a user's health condition (e.g., an alcohol concentration in the blood or bad breath).

In another example, the user's response to the reception of the call request signal may be recognized as the occurrence of the event for initiating the measurement of a user's health condition. For example, in response to the reception of the call request signal, the processor may output a sound through a speaker, a window (or a message) through a display, and/or a vibration through a haptic module. A user input indicating the acceptance of a call in response to the audible, visual, and/or tactile notification may be recognized as the event. Here, the user input may be received through an input device (e.g., a touch responsive display) or, as a user voice, through a microphone.

In another example, a user input for triggering the transmission of a call request signal may be recognized as the event for initiating the measurement of a user's health condition. For example, the user input may be a user's selection for a call button displayed on the display. In addition, the user input may be a voice for requesting a call connection, which is received through a microphone.

According to various examples, the processor may drive the gas sensor in response to the occurrence of the event in operation <NUM>. For example, the processor may control the gas sensor so as to obtain data related to a specific component of the outside air. As a result, the gas sensor may transfer the obtained raw data to the processor (e.g., a sensor hub processor).

According to various examples, the processor may further drive a temperature/humidity sensor in response to the occurrence of the event. Thus, the temperature/humidity sensor may generate raw data corresponding to the temperature/humidity, and may transmit the same to the processor.

According to various examples, in operation <NUM>, the processor (e.g., a sensor hub processor) may analyze the raw data received from the gas sensor, thereby calculating the concentration {e.g., ppm (parts per million), mg/m<NUM>, or µg/m<NUM>) of a specific component {e.g., alcohol, volatile organic compounds (VOC), total VOC (TVOC), fine dust, carbon dioxide, bad breath (bad smell from the mouth) or the like}.

According to various examples, the processor may analyze the raw data received from the temperature/humidity sensor, thereby calculating the temperature/humidity, and may correct the calculated concentration, based on the calculated temperature/humidity.

According to various examples, in operation <NUM>, the processor may perform a function assigned to the calculated (or corrected) concentration.

According to an example, operation <NUM> may include an operation of providing the user with the cleanliness level (quality) of outside air. The cleanliness level of outside air, for example, may be categorized into five levels (very good, good, moderate, bad, and very bad), and the processor may output a message indicating the level corresponding to the calculated (or corrected) concentration through a display and/or a speaker.

According to an example, operation <NUM> may include an operation of providing the user with an alcohol concentration in the blood or the degree of bad breath. For example, if the alcohol concentration in the blood exceeds a predetermined value (for example, the value corresponding to suspension of a driver's license), the processor may output a warning message through a display and/or a speaker.

According to an example, operation <NUM> may include an operation of controlling ON/OFF and a function of an external electronic device {e.g., an IoT (internet of things) device} connected to the electronic device through the wireless communication module, bases on the calculated (or corrected) concentration. For example, if the alcohol concentration in the blood exceeds a predetermined value (e.g., the value corresponding to suspension of a driver's license), the processor may transmit an operation stop command to an electronic control system of a vehicle. As another example, based on the air cleanliness level (for example, if the air cleanliness level corresponds to a bad level), the processor may control an air cleaner, an air conditioner, a heater, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, or the like, thereby enhancing the cleanliness level.

According to the invention as claimed, operation <NUM> includes an operation of adjusting a measurement period of the gas sensor, based on the calculated (or corrected) concentration. For example, as shown in Table <NUM>, as the cleanliness level becomes higher, the processor may increase the measurement period, thereby reducing the current consumption.

According to an example, operation <NUM> may include an operation of providing the outside (e.g., a user and/or an external electronic device) with concentration, a change thereof, or information corresponding thereto. For example, if the cleanliness level of air is changed, an alarm message may be output through a display and/or a speaker. If the cleanliness level of air changes abruptly (for example, referring to Table <NUM>, the cleanliness level of air changes to level <NUM> within minutes), the processor may output a message (e.g., fire alarm) corresponding to the change through a display and/or a speaker. In addition, the processor may transmit the message corresponding to the change to a fire station. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating operations of an electronic device having a gas sensor according to various examples.

Referring to <FIG>, the following operations according to various examples may be executed by the processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) of the electronic device having the earphone jack integrally formed with the gas sensor as shown in <FIG>.

The raw data collected during a proximity call (i.e., the call performed while the user places his/her ear close to the receiver) may lead to inaccuracy in calculation of the cleanliness level. For example, during the proximity call, the air from the user's mouth may be mixed with the outside air to then flow into the earphone hole (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>), which may cause inaccurate calculation of the cleanliness level of the outside air. As another example, the earphone plug inserted into the earphone jack (e.g., the earphone jack <NUM> in <FIG>) may hinder the outside air from flowing into the first hole <NUM>, so that the calculation of the cleanliness level may be inaccurate.

According to various examples of the disclosure, the processor may perform an operation of measuring gas (e.g., operations below) in consideration of measurement disturbance elements such as the proximity call or the insertion of a plug as described above.

According to various examples, in operation <NUM>, the processor may control the gas sensor so as to obtain raw data related to the cleanliness level of the outside air.

According to various examples, in operation <NUM>, the processor may recognize the occurrence of a measurement disturbance element while the gas sensor is obtaining the raw data.

According to an example, the processor may recognize an operation of a user's proximity call, based at least on the data obtained from a proximity sensor. For example, if the data value obtained from the proximity sensor indicates the operation in which the user places an electronic device close to his/her face (e.g., cheek), or if the obtained data value is less than a threshold value representing a specific distance in a specific state {for example, after receiving a call request signal from the outside through a wireless communication module (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>), after transmitting a call request signal to the outside through a wireless communication module, or during a call with an external device through a wireless communication module}, the processor may recognize that the operation of initiating a user's proximity call (measurement disturbance element) has occurred. In addition, if a data value obtained from the proximity sensor indicates an operation in which the user moves the electronic device away from him/her, or if the obtained data value exceeds the threshold value after recognizing the operation of initiating the proximity call, the processor may recognize that an operation for terminating the user's proximity call has occurred (that is, the measurement disturbance element has been removed).

According to an example, the processor may detect the insertion or release of the earphone plug through the audio module (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>), and may recognize the insertion of the earphone plug as the occurrence of the measurement disturbance element and the release of the earphone plug as the removal of the measurement disturbance element. For example, the terminal formed in the hole of the earphone jack (e.g., the first hole <NUM> in <FIG>) comes into contact with the earphone plug, thereby generating an electrical signal (or a change thereof) (hereinafter, referred to as an "earphone detection signal"). The earphone detection signal may be transmitted to the audio module (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>). The audio module (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) may transmit, to the processor (e.g., a sensor hub processor), the earphone detection signal along with information indicating the time of detecting the same (e.g., a time frame). The processor may recognize the occurrence of a measurement disturbance element by the reception of the earphone detection signal. Meanwhile, if the earphone plug is separated from the earphone jack, an electrical signal (or a change thereof) (hereinafter, referred to as an "earphone separation signal") may be generated according thereto. The earphone separation signal may be transmitted to the processor through the audio module along with information indicating the time of separating the same.

According to various examples, in operation <NUM>, the processor may calculate the cleanliness level of the outside air, based on at least one piece of the raw data obtained before the occurrence of the measurement disturbance element (e.g., the initiation of the proximity call or the insertion of the earphone plug) or the raw data obtained after the removal of the measurement disturbance element. For example, the processor may obtain an average value of the raw data collected for a determined period of time, and may calculate the cleanliness level using the average value. In this case, in calculating the average value, the raw data collected while the measurement disturbance element is sustained may be excluded. Alternatively, the processor may stop the collection of the raw data (e.g., storing the raw data in memory) while the measurement disturbance element is sustained, and may resume the collection operation if the measurement disturbance element is removed.

According to a certain example, the raw data collected while the measurement disturbance element is sustained may not be discarded, and may be used in measuring the user's health condition. Additionally, the processor may correct the obtained cleanliness level, based on the temperature/humidity obtained through the temperature/humidity sensor.

According to various examples, in operation <NUM>, the processor may perform a function assigned to the calculated (or corrected) cleanliness level. For example, operation <NUM> may include an operation of providing the user with the cleanliness level of the outside air, an operation of controlling ON/OFF and functions of an external electronic device {e.g., an IoT (internet of things) device}, based on the cleanliness level, an operation of adjusting the measurement cycle of the gas sensor, based on the cleanliness level, or an operation of providing the outside (e.g., the user and/or the external electronic device) with a change in cleanliness level or information corresponding thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, the following operations according to various examples may be executed by a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device shown in <FIG>, which has the microphone hole and the earphone hole formed on the same side surface) having an earphone jack integrally formed with a gas sensor as shown in <FIG>.

According to various examples, in operation <NUM> the processor may recognize an operation of initiating a user's proximity call. According to an example, the processor may recognize the operation of initiating a proximity call, based on the data obtained from at least one sensor (e.g., an acceleration sensor, a proximity sensor, etc.).

According to various examples, in operation <NUM> the processor may control the gas sensor so as to obtain raw data related to a user's health condition in response to the operation of initiating the user's proximity call. According to an example, the raw data may continue to be obtained for a predetermined period of time after recognizing the operation of initiating the proximity call. According to another example, the raw data may continue to be obtained until the termination of the proximity call is recognized.

According to various examples, in operation <NUM>, the processor may measure a user's health condition (e.g., an alcohol concentration in the blood or a concentration of bad breath), based on the raw data obtained by the gas sensor after recognizing the operation of initiating the proximity call. Additionally, the processor may correct the calculated cleanliness level, based on the temperature/humidity obtained through the temperature/humidity sensor. Additionally, in measuring the health condition, it may be considered whether or not an earphone plug is inserted. For example, the processor may measure the user's health condition, based at least on the raw data obtained by the gas sensor after recognizing the operation of initiating the proximity call, in the state in which the earphone plug is separated from the earphone jack.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having a hole formed therethrough;
an earphone jack (<NUM>) built in the housing (<NUM>) so as to receive an earphone plug therein through the hole;
a gas sensor (<NUM>) integrally formed with the earphone jack (<NUM>);
a memory (<NUM>) positioned inside the housing (<NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>) positioned inside the housing (<NUM>) and electrically connected to the earphone jack (<NUM>), the gas sensor (<NUM>), and the memory (<NUM>),
wherein the memory (<NUM>) stores instructions that cause, when executed, the processor (<NUM>) to:
control the gas sensor (<NUM>) so as to obtain data related to a specific component of outside air; and
calculate a cleanliness level of the outside air, based on at least one piece of data obtained by the gas sensor (<NUM>) before a predetermined measurement disturbance element is generated or data obtained by the gas sensor (<NUM>) after the measurement disturbance element is removed, and
adjust a measurement period of the gas sensor (<NUM>), based on the calculated cleanliness level.