Patent ID: 12213283

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments will be described in detail herein and examples shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following descriptions refer to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same numeral in different accompanying drawings denotes the same or similar element. The implementations described in the following embodiments do not denote all implementations consistent with the disclosure. On the contrary, they are merely examples of an apparatus consistent with some aspects of the disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

The embodiment of a first aspect of the disclosure provides an electronic device.FIG.1is a structural schematic diagram of a back face of the electronic device after a rear housing is removed.FIG.2is a structural schematic diagram of an inner side of the rear housing. The inner side of the rear housing faces the back face of the electronic device ofFIG.1.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, the electronic device includes: a middle frame10; a heat source20mounted on the middle frame10; a housing30having a heat dissipation area80and a non-heat-dissipation area70; the heat source20being located between the heat dissipation area80and the middle frame10, and a heat dissipation coefficient of the heat dissipation area80being higher than that of the non-heat-dissipation area70; and a processing module configured to adjust heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area80according to a temperature of a non-contact position of the housing30and a measured temperature of a contact position of the housing30.

Without limitation, the heat source20includes heating elements such as a processor, a memory and/or circuit board. The processing module may be a central processing unit (CPU), which may comprise one of heat sources. The middle frame10is capable of supporting the heat source20.

In some embodiments, the heat dissipation area80is aligned with the heat source20, or, the heat source20makes thermal contact with the heat dissipation area80, thus shortening a thermal conduction path and further improving a heat dissipation capability of the heat source20.

The electronic device includes, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a television or a wearable electronic product. In some embodiments, the electronic device is a mobile phone. The mobile phone includes a display screen and a battery. The display screen and the housing30are mounted on two opposite surfaces of the middle frame10respectively, the battery is located between the rear housing and the middle frame10, and the battery is configured to supply power to the processing module and a mainboard.

The heat dissipation area80and the non-heat-dissipation area70may be made of different materials respectively so as to achieve a higher heat dissipation effect at the heat dissipation area80. For example, the heat dissipation area80may be made of a metal material, a phase change material, or like material having a similar relatively high heat dissipation coefficient. The non-heat-dissipation area70can be made of plastic material, glass material, or like material having a similar relatively low heat dissipation coefficient. Alternatively, part of the material of the heat dissipation area80can be identical to that of the non-heat-dissipation area70, but the heat dissipation area80can be doped with a material having a higher thermal conductive coefficient than the thermal coefficient of the non-heat-dissipation area70. For example, an outer wall of the heat dissipation area80and the non-heat-dissipation area70can both be made of ceramic. A phase change material, an electrically-controlled thermal conduction layer, or the like can be added into the heat dissipation area80, thereby improving a thermal conductivity of the heat dissipation area80and ensuring the desired heat dissipation effect through improvement of the thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the structure of the heat dissipation area80of the example is advantageously conducive to improvement in integrity of the housing30.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the heat dissipation area80and the non-heat-dissipation area70are formed on the housing30, and heat generated by the heat source20is transferred to an environment external to housing30at least in part through the added heat dissipation area80, thus further improving the desired heat dissipation effect with respect to the heat source20and alleviating the risk that the user will experience burning hot sensation upon touching the housing30and/or the middle frame10.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the heat dissipation area80may be a non-contact area of the electronic device. In this specification a ‘non-contact area’ is an area of the electronic device that does not make direct contact with skin of a user when the electronic device is being worn by the user.

It may be understood that the added heat dissipation area80refers to an additional heat dissipation component that confers additional heat dissipation capability beyond that of an existing heat dissipation component in the electronic device. For example, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the middle frame10may be a metal or alloy middle frame10. Thus the middle frame10itself can have a heat dissipation effect and may be used as a heat dissipation component to increase heat dissipation capability and achieve a certain heat dissipation effect in some use cases. Nonetheless, some practical applications will generate more heat than others. For example, if a game function is performed by the mobile device for a long period of time, heat generated by the heat source20may be increased relative to the heat generated by the device in less time intensive applications. In such applications, heat dissipation provided by the middle frame10may no longer be adequate to achieve a satisfactory effect, and both the middle frame10and the rear housing may become hot or burning hot to the touch. In embodiments provided herein heat dissipation area80adds to the heat dissipation effect and further improves the user experience by addressing a problem of a hot or even a burning hot device part when the device performs functions such is as gaming.

Without limitation, the heat dissipation area80and the non-heat-dissipation area70may be of an integral structure, that is, the heat dissipation area80and the non-heat-dissipation area70may be physically inseparable. Compared with alternative solutions in which an external heat dissipation component is added to the housing30in an attempt to solve the burning hot problem caused by the heat dissipation, the electronic device of the embodiment of the disclosure leverages the heat dissipation area80, already a part of the housing30, thereby obviating the need for an external heat dissipation component and facilitating use of the device for purposes such as gaming.

The temperature of the non-contact position may be taken as a temperature of the heat dissipation area80or as a temperature of the non-heat-dissipation area70adjacent to the heat dissipation area80. Comparatively speaking, when the user is handling the electronic device, the non-contact position of the electronic device is farther away from the user, and the contact position of the electronic device is closer to the user. The contact position may be a position corresponding to a contact part such as a hand, a wrist, etc. of the user. Ideally, the temperature of the contact position of the electronic device, and in particular at a part of the electronic device in contact with the skin of the user, is a skin temperature of the user at the point where the user's skin contacts the electronic device when the user is handling the electronic device. The user's skin at the contact position is more exposed to the heat dissipation effect. Accordingly, in embodiments disclosed herein the temperatures of the non-contact position of the housing30is adjusted relative to the temperatures of the contact position of the housing30, such that the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area80is adjusted, and the heat sensation experienced by the user due to the temperature of the electronic device is fully considered, so that accuracy of adjusting the heat dissipation power between the non-contact position and the contact position is improved, and the potential for the user to experience a burning hot sensation when handling the device is further alleviated, and a use experience of the electronic device is improved.

In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to adjust the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area80according to the temperature of the non-contact position of the housing30, the measured temperature of the contact position of the housing30and a current environment temperature.

The current environment temperature refers to a temperature of an environment where the electronic device is located. This can be, e.g., a temperature in a geographic region in which the device is located, or an ambient temperature in an area, e.g., a room temperature, in which the device is used. The current environment temperature may influence the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation area of the device. Generally, the higher the current environment temperature, the more difficult it is for heat to dissipate into the current environment. So, in order to achieve expected heat dissipation effects, e.g., an expected effect that the rear housing will not give a burning hot sensation when a user is handling the device, the heat dissipating power is larger. On the other hand, the lower the current environment temperature, the more easily the heat is dissipated into the current environment, and thus the smaller the heat dissipation power required to achieve the desired heat dissipation effects.

Without limitation, the current environment temperature refers to the temperature of the environment in where the electronic device is located. The electronic device is capable of acquiring the current environment temperature, for example by acquiring a weather condition in an application.

In other optional embodiments, as shown inFIG.4, the heat dissipation area80includes: a first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81facing the heat source20; a second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82, the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall and the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81being arranged in a stacked manner; and an electrically-controlled thermal conduction layer83located between the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82, and configured to accelerate a heat conduction between the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82when energized.

The electrically-controlled thermal conduction layer83refers to a structure capable of controlling thermal conduction by means of an electrical signal. Heat transfer efficiency between the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82may be adjusted by adjusting effect time and/or an effect duration of the electrical signal. For example, the electrically-controlled thermal conduction layer83includes two different conductors, and the energy levels of charges in different conductors are different. In the case of current flow, the electrically-controlled thermal conduction layer83is capable of absorbing heat generated by the heat source20by means of the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and transferring the heat to the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82, so as to dissipate the heat. In this case, the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81can form a cold end, and the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82can form a hot end. InFIG.4, arrows point in a direction of heat transfer. Without limitation, the heat dissipation area80may be a Peltier refrigeration sheet. The first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82are both made of ceramic material or glass material.

With reference toFIG.5, in other optional embodiments the electrically-controlled thermal conduction layer83includes: thermocouples comprising first semiconductors832and second semiconductors831distributed alternately; and electrically conductive strips configured to electrically connect the first semiconductors832and the second semiconductors831(which are adjacent to each other), and the electrically conductive strips include first electrically conductive strips84and second electrically conductive strips85, where the first electrically conductive strips84are located between the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and a first end of the thermocouples, and the second electrically conductive strips85are located between the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82and a second end of the thermocouples, and the second end is opposite the first end.

The electrically conductive strips are electrically connected to the first semiconductors832and the second semiconductors831which are adjacent to each other. The electrically conductive strips and the thermocouples transfer heat from the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81to the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82in the case of current flow.

In some embodiments, the first electrically conductive strips84, the second electrically conductive strips85and the thermocouples are connected in series and achieve the heat dissipation effect under the action of the electrical signal. The electrically conductive strips may be metal conductors, such as copper or aluminum. In the thermocouples, the first semiconductors832may be N-type semiconductors and the second semiconductors831may be P-type semiconductors. For example, a material of the thermocouples includes, but is not limited to, bismuth telluride.

In other optional embodiments, the electrical signal includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. Parameters of the pulse width modulation signal are configured to adjust the heat dissipation power. The parameters include a frequency and/or duty cycle. In a certain frequency range, the higher the frequency of the pulse width modulation signal, the higher the heat dissipation power. In a certain duty cycle range, the higher the duty cycle, the higher the heat dissipation power.

In other optional embodiments, the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and an inner wall of the non-heat-dissipation area70are of an integral structure, and/or the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82and an outer wall of the non-heat-dissipation area70are of an integral structure.

In practical use, the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and/or second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82may be integrated with the non-heat-dissipation area70, and then the electrically-controlled thermal conduction layer is added between the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82, so as to form the heat dissipation area80. The heat dissipation area80is conducive to improvement in the integrity of the housing30.

In other optional embodiments, the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and the non-heat-dissipation area70are substantially identical in material, and/or the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82and the non-heat-dissipation area70are substantially identical in material. In some embodiments, the first electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall81and the second electrically insulated and thermally conductive wall82are both made of a ceramic material, and the non-heat-dissipation area70is also made of ceramic material. Using the substantially identical materials may further improve the integrity of the housing30. In other optional embodiments, the heat dissipation area80is located at the center of the non-heat-dissipation area70, or the heat dissipation area80is located above the center of the non-heat-dissipation area70.

Generally, during use of the electronic device, the contact position is generally located between the center of the non-heat-dissipation area70and the bottom end of the non-heat-dissipation area70, that is, the contact position is located below the non-heat-dissipation area70, while the non-contact position is located at the center of the non-heat-dissipation area70or above the non-heat-dissipation area70. As shown inFIG.2, for the rectangular non-heat-dissipation area70, an intersection of two diagonal lines of a rectangle serves as the center O of the non-heat-dissipation area70, and the whole heat dissipation area80is arranged at the center of the non-heat-dissipation area70.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG.2, the heat dissipation area80is arranged above the center O of the non-heat-dissipation area70(wherein ‘above’ is toward the top of the page), and the heat dissipation area80may be located at the non-contact position. This arrangement provides a distribution mode of the heat dissipation area80that improves a touch experience during handling of the electronic device because the contact position, i.e., the point of contact with the user is far away from the heat dissipation area80. This improves the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation area80because of reduction of shielding of the heat dissipation area80introduced by the user's body.FIG.2shows the heat dissipation area80substantially at the center of the non-heat-dissipation area70.

In other optional embodiments, the electronic device further includes: a transmitting coil50located on the middle frame10and electrically connected to the processing module. The transmitting coil is configured to transmit the pulse width modulation signal; and a receiving coil40located on the housing30and electrically connected to the heat dissipation area80, and configured to transmit the pulse width modulation signal to the heat dissipation area80.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the transmitting coil50transmits the pulse width modulation signal, and the receiving coil40transmits the pulse width modulation signal so as to wirelessly supply power to the heat dissipation area80. Moreover, a power supply process includes a process of adjusting the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area80. In the wireless power supply mode, the transmitting coil50and the receiving coil are separable components, i.e., these components can be separated from each other. When the middle frame10and the housing30are assembled, the housing30may be directly mounted on the middle frame10without a charging connection, thus reducing the number of assembly steps. Furthermore, since it is unnecessary to add a wire for supplying power to the heat dissipation area80, reduction in occupation of space between the housing30and the middle frame10is achieved, and more expansion space is made available, which space may be reserved for a battery located between the middle frame10and the housing30. As shown inFIGS.1and2, the transmitting coil50is aligned with the receiving coil40so as to further improve a power supply effect on the heat dissipation area80.

With reference toFIG.3, in other optional embodiments, the electronic device further includes: a field effect transistor90electrically connected to the transmitting coil50; a pulse generator60electrically connected to the processing module and configured to generate the pulse width modulation signal for controlling the field effect transistor90to be switched on or off; wherein the processing module is configured to adjust power of the heat dissipation area80by adjusting the frequency and/or duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal.

In some embodiments the processing module controls the pulse generator60to generate the pulse width modulation signal, and the field effect transistor90is switched on or off under the action of the pulse width modulation signal, so that the transmitting coil50, which is electrically connected to the field effect transistor90, generates an electromagnetic wave based on the pulse width modulation signal, whereby the receiving coil generates an electrical signal transmitted to the heat dissipation area80under the action of the electromagnetic wave.

An embodiment of a second aspect of the disclosure provides a control method for controlling an electronic device. The control method can be used for controlling the electronic device of the embodiment of the first aspect described above. As shown inFIG.6, the method includes the following steps: at S110, acquiring a temperature of a non-contact position of a housing of the electronic device and a temperature of a contact position of the housing; and at S120, adjusting heat dissipation power of a heat dissipation area according to the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position. In S110, the temperature of the non-contact position may be a temperature of the heat dissipation area or a temperature of a non-heat-dissipation area adjacent to the heat dissipation area. Comparatively speaking, when the user is handling the electronic device, the non-contact position is farther away from a user, and the contact position is closer to the user. The contact position may be a position corresponding to a contact part such as a hand, a wrist, etc. of the user.

The temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position of the housing may be individually measured by a temperature sensor of the electronic device. Alternatively, the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position of the housing are measured by a temperature sensor in devices other than the electronic device, and the measurements are sent to the electronic device through wireless communication. In some embodiments, the temperature of the non-contact position is measured by a temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor is located in the electronic device.

In S120, generally, the temperature of the contact position is a skin temperature of a user's contact part, as the user's skin at the area of contact is more sensitive to a heat dissipation effect. According to the temperatures of the non-contact position and the contact position of the housing, the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area is adjusted. The adjustment accounts for expected temperature sensation of the user when the device is worn by the user, so that accuracy of adjusting the heat dissipation power is improved, and a burning hot sensation experienced by the user is further avoided or alleviated, and a user experience when handling the electronic device is improved.

In other optional embodiments, the step of adjusting a heat dissipation power of a heat dissipation area of the device according to the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position includes the following steps: adjusting the heat dissipation power of a heat dissipation area of the device to be larger than or equal to a preset power of the heat dissipation area under circumstances in which a difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position reaches a preset temperature threshold; and/or adjusting the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area to be smaller than the preset heat dissipation power when that difference does not reach the preset temperature threshold.

In practical use, when the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position is larger than the preset threshold, it means that the heat source is emitting more heat than desired, and a temperature of the housing is higher than desired, so it is desirable to increase the heat dissipation power to improve the heat dissipation effect. On the contrary, when the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position is smaller than the preset threshold, it means that the heat source emits less heat than expected, and the temperature of the housing is lower than expected, so it is desirable to decrease the heat dissipation power to reduce the heat dissipation effect, or alternatively to stop heat dissipation of the heat dissipation area so as to reduce power consumption. The preset threshold may be 10° C., 15° C. or 20° C., but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the following steps: receiving indication information of a current environment temperature from one or more other devices via a communication module; and adjusting the heat dissipation power of a heat dissipation area based on a temperature of the non-contact position of the housing, a measured temperature of the contact position of the housing, and the current environment temperature.

Without limitation, the current environment temperature refers to a temperature of an environment where the electronic device is located. For example, the temperature can be an ambient temperature, or a temperature in a geographic region. For example, the electronic device is capable of acquiring the current environment temperature by viewing a weather condition in an application. In another example, the application is capable of receiving the indication information of the current environment temperature from a server on a network side.

The current environment temperature can influence the heat dissipation effect experienced by the heat dissipation area. Generally, the higher the current environment temperature, the more difficult it is for heat to dissipate into a current environment. So, in order to achieve expected heat dissipation effects such as a heat dissipation effect that the rear housing is not burning hot to the touch of the user, the heat dissipation power is larger. On the other hand, the lower the current environment temperature, the easier it is to dissipate the heat into the surrounding environment, and the smaller the heat dissipation power required to achieve the expected heat dissipation effects.

In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area according to the temperature of the non-contact position of the housing, a measured temperature of the contact position of the housing and the current environment temperature includes the following step: determining that the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position reaches the preset threshold, or determining that the current environment temperature reaches a preset environment temperature, and adjusting the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area to be larger than or equal to the preset power.

Moreover, the heat dissipation power can be adjusted according to the measured temperature of the contact position of the housing and the current environment temperature, which is conducive to further improvement in the accuracy of adjusting the heat dissipation power and further improvement in the heat dissipation effect.

In an example, with the preset threshold 10° C. and the preset environment temperature 28° C., under circumstances in which the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position is smaller than 10° C., but in which the current environment temperature is 35° C., the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area is adjusted to be larger than or equal to the preset power, so as to ensure the heat dissipation effect and alleviate the potential for a burning hot situation experienced by a user contacting the housing or the middle frame.

In some embodiments, the step that adjusting the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area according to the temperature of the non-contact position of the housing, a measured temperature of the contact position of the housing and the current environment temperature, includes the following step: determining that the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position does not reach the preset threshold; determining that the current environment temperature does not reach the preset environment temperature; and adjusting the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area to be smaller than the preset power in response to the determining.

With the preset threshold 10° C. and the preset environment temperature 28° C. as an example, under a circumstance in which the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position is smaller than 10° C., and the current environment temperature is 25° C., the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area is adjusted to be smaller than the preset power, so as to ensure the heat dissipation effect and reduce power consumption.

In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area according to the temperature of the non-contact position of the housing, a measured temperature of the contact position of the housing and the current environment temperature, includes the following steps: determining the preset threshold according to the current environment temperature; and determining the heat dissipation power according to whether the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position reaches the preset threshold or not. In one embodiment, a value of the preset threshold is related to the current environment temperature, for example, the preset threshold is negatively correlated with the current environment temperature.

In other optional embodiments, the step of adjusting heat dissipation power of a heat dissipation area according to the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position includes the following step: adjusting the power of the heat dissipation area by adjusting a frequency and/or duty cycle of a pulse width modulation signal generated by a pulse generator, where the pulse width modulation signal is configured to control a field effect transistor to be switched on or off, and the field effect transistor is electrically connected to a transmitting coil of the electronic device.

In a certain frequency range, the higher the frequency of the pulse width modulation signal, the higher the heat dissipation power. In a certain duty cycle range, the higher the duty cycle, the higher the heat dissipation power.

As shown inFIG.3, the processing module controls the pulse generator to generate the pulse width modulation signal, and the field effect transistor is switched on or off under the action of the pulse width modulation signal, so that the transmitting coil electrically connected to the field effect transistor generates an electromagnetic wave based on the pulse width modulation signal, and the receiving coil generates an electrical signal transmitted to the heat dissipation area under the action of the electromagnetic wave.

In other optional embodiments, the step that acquiring a temperature of a contact position of the housing includes the following steps: establishing a communication link between the electronic device and a wearable device; and acquiring the temperature of the contact position by means of the wearable device.

Compared with using the temperature sensor of the electronic device itself to measure the temperature of the contact position, using the wearable device to measure the temperature of the contact position reduces interference of the heat dissipation area with the measurement of the temperature, which is conducive to further improvement in accuracy of temperature measurement and further improvement in the accuracy of adjusting the heat dissipation power.

In some embodiments, the temperature of the contact position is the skin temperature. The skin temperature may change with change in an external environment. With the user's skin temperature detected and measured, awareness of heat dissipation of the heat dissipation area of the user may be further improved, and the accuracy of adjusting the heat dissipation power may be further improved.

Without limitation, the wearable device includes a bracelet, a watch or a ring.

Temperature differences may exist between temperatures on part of a human body and temperatures in other parts of the human body. These differences can be large. Accordingly, for hand-operated electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer or a television, the skin temperature measured by a bracelet, watch or ring is closer to that of a user's hand, and a heat generation amount of the bracelet, watch or ring is very small, thus improving the accuracy of the temperature measurement of the contact position.

In another particular example, the electronic device is a mobile phone. In that example,FIGS.1-5are applicable to illustrate embodiments in which a skin temperature of the user's hand is measured by a bracelet, that is, a temperature T1of a contact position between the bracelet and a wrist of the user is measured by a temperature sensor in the bracelet. A temperature of the housing is measured by a temperature sensor of the mobile phone itself, which may be recorded as T2. T3=T2−T1corresponds to a temperature rise that occurs when the user's hand touches the mobile phone. When T3exceeds a certain value (the preset threshold), it may be determined that the mobile phone generates too much heat and from that it may be inferred that the temperature of the mobile phone exceeds a temperature that would be a comfortable touch temperature for the user's hand. The mobile phone may adjust the heat dissipation of the heat dissipation area through the following procedure, so as to improve the touch experience of the user when handling the mobile phone.

When T3reaches the preset threshold, a CPU (that is, a processing module or processor) may ask the pulse generator inFIG.3to start to generate the PWM signal to control a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) (that is, the field effect transistor90) to be switched on and off. The transmitting coil may generate the electromagnetic wave according to the PWM signal, and the receiving coil may generate electricity by means of a corresponding changing magnetic field, thus supplying power to the heat dissipation area shown inFIG.5. A cold end of the heat dissipation area faces a mainboard (the heat source), and a hot end faces the external environment of a mobile phone body, so that heat generated by the mainboard may be concentrated and dissipated by means of the heat dissipation area, thus reducing heat of other parts of the mobile phone body and improving overall touch experience for the user, without reducing performance of the mobile phone. InFIG.3, the pulse generator60is electrically connected to the field effect transistor90by means of an output terminal (OUT). In addition to the output terminal, the pulse generator60also includes a ground terminal (GND), a drain power voltage terminal (VDD), a serial clock signal terminal (SCL) and a port for data transmission (SDA).

In the example, an external cooling device may be removed from the mobile phone, and intelligent temperature control may be achieved by determining a contact temperature difference between the housing of the mobile phone and the user's hand, so that the user may experience a more comfortable contact temperature when using the mobile phone, without degrading the performance of the mobile phone.

An embodiment of a third aspect of the disclosure provides a control apparatus for an electronic device, which can be used to control the electronic device of the embodiment of the first aspect. As shown inFIG.7, the apparatus200includes: an acquisition module210, configured to acquire a temperature of a non-contact position of a housing of the electronic device and a temperature of a contact position of the housing; and an adjustment module220, configured to adjust heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area according to the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position.

In other optional embodiments, the adjustment module is further configured to: adjust the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area to be larger than or equal to preset power under a circumstance in which a difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position reaches a preset threshold; and/or adjust the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area to be smaller than the preset power under a circumstance in which the difference does not reach the preset threshold.

In other optional embodiments, the adjustment module is configured to: adjust the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area based on the temperature of the non-contact position of the housing, a measured temperature of the contact position of the housing and the current environment temperature.

Without limitation, the current environment temperature refers to a temperature of an environment where the electronic device is located and can also refer to an ambient temperature. The electronic device is capable of acquiring the current environment, and/or ambient temperature by viewing a weather condition in an application.

The current environment and/or ambient temperature may influence a heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation area. Generally, the higher the current surrounding environment temperature, the more difficult it is for heat to dissipate into the current surrounding environment. So, in order to achieve expected heat dissipation effects such as an effect that the rear housing is not burning hot to the touch of a user, the heat dissipation power is larger. On the other hand, the lower the current environment temperature, the easier it is to dissipate the heat into the current surrounding environment. So, the smaller is the heat dissipation power required to achieve the expected heat dissipation effects.

In some embodiments, the adjustment module is further configured to: determine that the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position has reached the preset threshold, or determine that the current environment temperature reaches a preset environment temperature, and adjust the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area to be larger than or equal to the preset power.

Moreover, the heat dissipation power is adjusted according to the measured temperature of the contact position of the housing and the current environment temperature, which is conducive to further improvement in accuracy of adjusting the heat dissipation power and further improvement in the heat dissipation effect.

With the preset threshold 10° C. and the preset environment temperature 28° C. as an example, under a circumstance in which the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position is smaller than 10° C., but the current environment temperature is 35° C., the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area is adjusted to be larger than or equal to the preset power, so as to ensure the heat dissipation effect is achieved, thereby reducing a possibility that user experiences a burning hot sensation when the user contacts the housing or the middle frame.

In some embodiments, the adjustment module is further configured to: determine that the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position does not reach the preset threshold, determine that the current environment temperature does not reach the preset environment temperature, and adjust the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area to be smaller than the preset power.

With the preset threshold 10° C. and the preset environment temperature 28° C. as an example, under the condition that the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position is smaller than 10° C., and the current environment temperature is 25° C., the heat dissipation power of the heat dissipation area is adjusted to be smaller than the preset power, so as to ensure the heat dissipation effect is achieved and to reduce power consumption.

In some embodiments, the adjustment module is further configured to: determine the preset threshold according to the current environment temperature; and determine the heat dissipation power according to whether the difference between the temperature of the non-contact position and the temperature of the contact position reaches the preset threshold or not. In an embodiment, a value of the preset threshold is related to the current environment temperature, for example, the preset threshold is negatively correlated with the current environment temperature.

In other optional embodiments, the adjustment module is further configured to: adjust power of the heat dissipation area by adjusting a frequency and/or duty cycle of a pulse width modulation signal generated by a pulse generator, where the pulse width modulation signal is configured to control a field effect transistor to be switched on or off, and the field effect transistor is electrically connected to a transmitting coil of the electronic device.

In other optional embodiments, the acquisition module is further configured to: establish a communication link between the electronic device and a wearable device; and acquire the temperature of the contact position by means of the wearable device. In some embodiments, the wearable device includes a bracelet, a watch or a ring.

An embodiment of the third aspect of the disclosure provides an electronic device, which includes: a processor, and a memory for storing processor-executable instructions that configure a processor to execute the steps of the method of the embodiment of the second aspect described above.

An embodiment of a fourth aspect of the disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program comprising processor-executable instructions. The instructions, when executed by a processor of an electronic device, configure the electronic device to execute the steps of the method of the embodiment of the second aspect described above.

In the embodiments, a plurality of modules, etc. in a control apparatus for an electronic device may be implemented by one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a baseband processor (BP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a general-purpose processor, a controller and a micro controller unit (MCU), a microprocessor, or other electronic components, thus executing the above-mentioned method.

FIG.8is a block diagram of a control apparatus800for an electronic device according to an embodiment. For example, the apparatus800may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a messaging device, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, a fitness device, a personal digital assistant, etc.

With reference toFIG.8, the apparatus800may include one or more of the following assemblies: a processing assembly802, a memory804, a power supply assembly806, a multimedia assembly808, an audio assembly810, an input/output (I/O) interface812, a sensor assembly814, and a communication assembly816.

The processing assembly802generally controls all operations of the apparatus800, such as operations associated with display, telephone call, data communication, camera operation and recording operation. The processing assembly802may include one or more processors820to execute instructions, so as to perform all or part of the steps of the above-mentioned method. In addition, the processing assembly802may include one or more modules to facilitate interactions between the processing assembly802and other assemblies. For example, the processing assembly802may include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia assembly808and the processing assembly802.

The memory804is configured to store various types of instructions and/or data to support the operations on the apparatus800. Examples include an instruction for any application or method operating on the apparatus800, contact data, phone book data, a message, a picture, a video, etc. The memory804may be achieved by any type of volatile or nonvolatile memory device or their combination, such as a static random access memory (SRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

The power supply assembly806supplies power to various assemblies of the apparatus800. The power supply assembly806may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other assemblies associated with generating, managing and distributing power for the apparatus800.

The multimedia assembly808includes a screen that provides an output interface between the apparatus800and the user. In some embodiments, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes the touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive an input signal from the user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touching, sliding and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor may sense a boundary of a touching or sliding operation, and detect a duration and pressure related to the touching or sliding operation. In some embodiments, the multimedia assembly808includes a front camera and/or a back camera. When the apparatus800is in an operation mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front camera and/or the back camera are/is capable of receiving external multimedia data. Each of the front camera and back camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have a focal length and optical zoom capability.

The audio assembly810is configured to output and/or input an audio signal. For example, the audio assembly810includes a microphone (MIC). The microphone is configured to receive an external audio signal when the apparatus800is in operation modes such as a call mode, a recording mode and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal may be further stored in the memory804or sent via the communication assembly816. In some embodiments, the audio assembly810further includes a speaker for outputting an audio signal.

The I/O interface812provides an interface between the processing assembly802and a peripheral interface module. The peripheral interface module may be a keyboard, a click wheel, a button, etc. The buttons may include, but are not limited to, a home button, a volume button, a start button and a lock button.

The sensor assembly814includes one or more sensors for providing various aspects of state assessment for the apparatus800. For example, the sensor assembly814is capable of detecting an on/off state of the apparatus800and relative positioning of the assemblies such as a display and a keypad of the apparatus800, and the sensor assembly814is further capable of detecting position change of the apparatus800or an assembly of the apparatus800, presence or absence of contact between a user and the apparatus800, an orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the apparatus800and temperature change of the apparatus800. The sensor assembly814may include a proximity sensor configured to detect presence of a nearby object without any physical contact. The sensor assembly814may further include an optical sensor, such as a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, which is used in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly814may further include an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor.

The communication assembly816is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the apparatus800and other devices. The apparatus800may access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi, the 4th generation mobile communication technology (4G) or the 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G), or their combination. In an embodiment, the communication assembly816receives a broadcast signal or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an embodiment, the communication assembly816further includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module may be implemented on the basis of a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, an infrared data association (IrDA) technology, an ultra wide band (UWB) technology, a Bluetooth (BT) technology and other technologies.

In the embodiments, the apparatus800may be implemented by one or more of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital signal processing device (DSPD), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a controller, a micro controller unit, a microprocessor or other electronic components, thus executing the above-mentioned method.

In the embodiments, there is further provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including processor-executable instructions, such as the memory804including instructions. The instructions may be executed by the processor820of the apparatus800so as to carry out the above-mentioned method. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be ROM, a random access memory (RAM), CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc.

The methods disclosed in the several method embodiments provided in the disclosure may be combined to thereby derive additional methods within the scope of the disclosure.

The features disclosed in the several device embodiments provided in the disclosure may be arbitrarily combined to obtain a new product embodiment within the scope of the disclosure.

The features disclosed in the several method or device embodiments provided in the disclosure may be combined to obtain additional methods or embodiments or products within the scope of the disclosure.

Those skilled in the art could easily conceive of other implementation solutions of the disclosure upon consideration of the description and the invention disclosed herein. The disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptive changes of the disclosure, which follow the general principles of the disclosure and include common general knowledge or conventional technical means, which are not necessarily disclosed in the disclosure.

It should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular structures described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and instead can have various modifications and changes without departing from the its scope. The scope of the disclosure is limited by the appended claims only.