PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7658095-B2
Application Number: US-63615206-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Water detection arrangement

Abstract:
An electronic device having an enclosure is disclosed. The electronic device includes a hole disposed at least partially through the enclosure. The electronic device also includes a detector configured to provide at least one visual indication after being immersed in water. The detector may include a moisture-indicating portion and a light-permitting moisture-proof membrane. The detector may be disposed inside at least one of the enclosure and the hole such that at least a portion of the detector is visible through the hole from outside of the enclosure without dismantling or opening the electronic device. The distance between the light-permitting moisture-proof membrane and an opening of the hole in the enclosure may be less than the distance between the moisture-indicating portion and the opening of the hole.

Claims:
1. An electronic device, the electronic device being compatible with at least a peripheral device, the electronic device comprising:
 an enclosure, the enclosure housing at least a set of electrical circuitry; 
 a connector coupled with the enclosure, the connector including at least a set of conductive contacts for transmitting signals between the electronic device and the peripheral device, the connector further including at least a hole for receiving a portion of the peripheral device with a remaining portion of the peripheral device disposed external to the electronic device; and 
 a detector disposed inside the hole of the connector, the detector including at least a moisture-indicating portion, at least a visible portion of the moisture-indicating portion being visible within a viewing range through the hole from outside of the enclosure without dismantling or opening the electronic device, the detector being invisible outside the viewing range, wherein the connector encloses the moisture-indicating portion. 
 
   
   
     2. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the viewing range has a dimension for preventing at least a user that sees the enclosure from noticing existence of the detector. 
   
   
     3. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the hole is configured to provide electrical coupling and mechanical coupling between the electronic device and the portion of the peripheral device. 
   
   
     4. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the connector is configured to transmit at least one of audio signals, video signals, data, and electricity. 
   
   
     5. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one visual indication includes at least one of changing a dimension, changing a pattern, changing a symbol, presenting a color, presenting a pattern, and presenting a symbol. 
   
   
     6. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the detector further comprises an adhesive disposed on the visible portion of the moisture-indicating portion, the adhesive securing the moisture-indicating portion inside the enclosure. 
   
   
     7. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the detector further comprises a non-conductive cover, the non-conductive cover being disposed between the moisture-indicating portion and the set of electrical circuitry, the non-conductive cover contacting the set of electrical circuitry. 
   
   
     8. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the moisture-indicating portion comprises a dye. 
   
   
     9. The electronic device of  claim 8  wherein the moisture-indicating portion further comprises an absorbent in contact with the dye. 
   
   
     10. The electronic device of  claim 9  further comprising a light-permitting moisture-proof membrane, wherein the absorbent is disposed between the moisture-indicating portion and the light-permitting moisture-proof membrane. 
   
   
     11. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the detector further including at least a filter in contact with a water-reactive element of the moisture-indicating portion for filtering out humidity to prevent the water-reactive element from providing false positives. 
   
   
     12. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the detector is disposed at a bottom of the hole, and an inside wall of the connector provides friction to secure the detector inside the hole. 
   
   
     13. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the viewing range is represented by a viewing angle, the viewing angle being less than 90 degrees. 
   
   
     14. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a compartment for housing a removable module, wherein the detector is disposed away from the compartment. 
   
   
     15. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the connector is an audio jack connector. 
   
   
     16. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the detector further comprises a non-conductive cover, the non-conductive cover being disposed between the moisture-indicating portion and the set of electrical circuitry, the non-conductive cover spanning a same area as the moisture-indicating portion. 
   
   
     17. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a light-permitting membrane disposed inside the hole of the connector, wherein the connector encloses the light-permitting membrane. 
   
   
     18. The electronic device of  claim 17  further comprising an adhesive, the adhesive being disposed between the moisture-indicating portion and the light-permitting membrane, the adhesive spanning a same area as the moisture-indicating portion. 
   
   
     19. The electronic device of  claim 18  wherein the light-permitting membrane and the connector enclose the adhesive. 
   
   
     20. The electronic device of  claim 17  wherein the light-permitting membrane is attached to the connector through friction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Water exposure is among major reasons that may cause significant malfunction of devices, such as electronic devices, which include electronic, mechanical, or chemical components. Therefore, verification of significant water exposure (or water immersion) is important to manufacturers of the devices. For example, for purposes such as warranty claim assessment, trouble-shooting for repairs, and product development, a manufacturer of electronic devices typically needs to verify whether a malfunctioning device has been immersed in water.  FIGS. 1A-B  illustrate an example conventional arrangement for verifying water immersion of a device  100  such as a cellular phone. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-B , device  100  includes a compartment  105  with a cover  108  for housing a removable module  110  such as a battery. For verifying water immersion, device  100  may include a detector  102  disposed at a bottom of compartment  105 . To determine whether device  100  has previously been immersed in water, an inspector  170 , such as a representative of the manufacture of device  100 , may open cover  108  and remove removable module  110  to see whether detector  102  has changed color. 
   Detector  102  may be commercially available from suppliers such as 3M Company (www.3m.com) of St. Paul, Minn. and Schreiner Label Tech, Inc. of Southfield, Mich., and Nova Vision Inc. (www.novavisioninc.com) of Bowling Green, Ohio and typically has a configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 1B . 
     FIG. 1B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of detector  102 , with dimensions of detector  102  exaggerated for clear illustration. As shown in  FIG. 1B , detector  102  includes an adhesive layer  132  for securing detector  102  at the bottom of compartment  105 . Over adhesive layer  132 , detector  102  includes a dye layer  112  that may dissolve after receiving a certain amount of water. Over dye layer  112 , detector  102  includes a paper layer  122  for bearing dye layer  112  as well as allowing dissolved dye layer  112  to diffuse (or permeate) through paper layer  122  to show an indication (such as a red spot) that is visible to inspector  170  after detector  102  has been significantly exposed to (or immersed in) water. Over paper layer  122 , detector  102  includes a transparent cover layer  142  for limiting exposure of paper layer  122  to humidity, thereby further avoiding false positives. 
   Nevertheless, the above-described conventional arrangement for verifying water immersion with detector  102  has disadvantages. The disadvantages may pertain to limited application, tampering of detection  102 , and complicated inspection process, described as follows. 
   Firstly, application of the conventional arrangement is limited to devices that are designed to be easily opened. However, subject to requirements such as industrial standards, design considerations, or manufacturing considerations, some devices cannot be opened without being dismantled or damaged. Therefore, water immersion of some devices cannot be verified using the conventional arrangement. 
   Secondly, since detector  102  is readily visible and accessible with easy removal of removable module  110 , detector  102  may be easily tampered. For example, detector  102  may be replaced with a new detector after device  100  has been immersed in water. As a result, it may become difficult for the manufacturer of device  100  to verify or prove water immersion of device  100 . 
   Thirdly, the process of water immersion verification may be complicated. When the representative of the manufacturer is to inspect detector  120 , the representative must remove cover  108  and removable module  110  before inspection. The representative may also need to make sure that cover  108  and removable module  110  are replaced back to device  100  after the inspection. Accordingly, the inspection process is complicated, and the inspection process may be further complicated when the representative handles multiple devices. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures. 
   One or more embodiments of the present invention involve an electronic device having an enclosure. The electronic device includes a hole disposed at least partially through the enclosure. The electronic device also includes a detector configured to provide at least one visual indication after being immersed in water. The detector may include a moisture-indicating portion and a light-permitting moisture-proof membrane. The detector may be disposed inside at least one of the enclosure and the hole such that at least a portion of the detector is visible through the hole from outside of the enclosure without dismantling or opening the electronic device. The distance between the light-permitting moisture-proof membrane and an opening of the hole in the enclosure may be less than the distance between the moisture-indicating portion and the opening of the hole. 
   One or more embodiments of the present invention involve a detector for verifying that a device has been significantly exposed to (or immersed in) water. The detector includes a first means for providing a visual proof for the verifying. The detector further includes a second means for securing the first means inside the device such that the visual proof is visible from outside of the device through a hole of the device without opening or dismantling the device. 
   One or more embodiments of the present invention involve a detector for providing at least one visual indication after the detector being immersed in water. The detector may include a moisture-indicating portion. The moisture-indicating portion may include a water-reactive element configured to perform a visible transformation after the moisture-indicating portion being immersed in the water. The at least one visual indication may include at least a portion of the visible transformation and may be shown on an observable side of the moisture-indicating portion. The detector may also include an adhesive disposed on the observable side of the moisture-indicating portion. The adhesive may be configured to secure the moisture-indicating portion inside an enclosure such that the at least one visual indication is visible from outside of the enclosure through a hole of the enclosure without opening or dismantling the enclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
       FIGS. 1A-B  illustrate an example conventional arrangement for verifying water immersion of devices and an example conventional detector. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, devices with a detector for verifying water immersion of the devices without opening or dismantling the devices. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the detector in the example of  FIG. 2A  disposed inside an enclosure of one of the devices in the example of  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the detector in the example of  FIG. 2A  secured on a connector. 
       FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the detector in the example of  FIG. 2A  before and after water immersion of one of the devices in the example of  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a detector disposed inside a hole of a device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
   One or more embodiments of the present invention involve an electronic device with a detector for verifying water immersion of the electronic device without opening or dismantling the electronic device. The detector is configured to provide a visual indication if the detector has been immersed in water. In one or more embodiments, the electronic device includes a through hole that is disposed through an enclosure of the device, and the detector is disposed inside the enclosure such that the visual indication may be visible through the through hole from outside of the enclosure. In one or more embodiments, the electronic device includes a partially-through hole that is disposed partially through the enclosure, and the detector is disposed inside the partially-through hole such that the visual indication may be visible through the partially-through hole from outside of the enclosure. 
   In one or more embodiments, the through hole or the partially-through hole represents a hole of a connector that is fitted in an opening of the enclosure. The connector may be configured to provide electrical or mechanical coupling to a portion of a peripheral device. The portion of the peripheral device may be adapted to be inserted into the hole of the connector. For example, the connector may represent an audio jack connector for coupling to an audio headset. 
   Further, one or more embodiments of the present invention involve a detector for verifying water exposure or immersion of a device. The detector includes a moisture-indication portion for providing a visual proof for the verifying. The moisture-indication portion may include a water-reactive element, such as a dye, for performing a visible transformation after receiving a threshold amount of water. The visible transformation may include dissolution and then diffusion of the dye through an absorbent layer to expose the color of the dye. Alternatively or additionally, the visible transformation may include a color or pattern change of the moisture-indication portion. The detector may further include a means, such as an adhesive, for securing the moisture-indication portion inside the device such that the visual proof may be visible from outside of the device through a hole of the device without opening or dismantling the device. 
   The features and advantages of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the figures and discussions that follow. 
     FIG. 2A  illustrates, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, devices  200  and  300  with a detector  202  for verifying water immersion of devices  200  and  300  without opening or dismantling devices  200  and  300 . 
   In one or more embodiments, device  200  includes enclosure  204 , removable module  110 , compartment  105  for housing removable module  110 , and cover  108  for closing compartment  105 , similar to device  100  (shown in the example of  FIG. 1 ). However, device  200  does not include a detector in compartment  105 . In a novel and non-obvious way, device  200  includes a detector  202  that is disposed inside enclosure  204 . As shown in the example of  FIG. 2A , device  200  includes a hole  106  that is disposed through enclosure  204 , and detector  202  is disposed such that at least a portion of detector  202  is visible to inspector  170  through hole  106  from outside of enclosure  204 . As such, detector  202  may be inspected without opening cover  108 , and verifying water immersion of device  200  may be advantageously simpler than verifying water immersion of device  100 . 
   Further, because detector  202  is disposed inside enclosure  204 , detector  202  may not be tampered, damaged, or removed without enclosure  204  being evidently dismantled or damaged. Therefore, tampering, damage, removal, and loss of detector  202  may be advantageously avoided with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
   In one or more embodiments, device  300  does not include a removable part or a compartment that can be easily opened by the consumer. In an arrangement similar to device  200 , device  300  includes detector  202  disposed inside enclosure  304  such that detector  202  is visible to inspector  170  through hole  106 , which is disposed through enclosure  304 . As such, detector  202  may be inspected and water immersion of device  300  may be verified without dismantling or damaging enclosure  304  or device  300 . 
   Hole  106  may represent a hole of a connector  107  that is fitted in an opening of enclosure  204  or  304 . Connector  107  may be configured to provide electrical or mechanical coupling to a portion of a peripheral device for device  200  or  300 , with the portion of the peripheral device adapted to be inserted into hole  106 . 
     FIG. 2B  illustrates, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, detector  202  disposed inside enclosure  204  ( 304 ) of device  200  ( 300 ). Dimensions of components of detector  202  are exaggerated for clear illustration. 
   In one or more embodiments, detector  202  includes a moisture-indicating portion  210  configured to provide at least one visual indication after moisture-indicating portion  210  has been immersed in water. The at least one visual indication may include one or more of changing a color, changing a pattern, changing a dimension, changing a symbol, presenting a color, presenting a pattern, and presenting a symbol. In one or more embodiments, moisture-indicating  210  may include a water-reactive element  212  configured to perform a visible transformation after receiving a threshold amount of water. For example, water-reactive element  212  may include a dye that changes color or dissolves into a solution after receiving a threshold amount of water. 
   Moisture-indicating portion  210  may further include an absorbent  222  in contact with water-reactive element  212 . For example, absorbent  222  may include a layer of paper, and water-reactive element  212  may be spread or deposited on absorbent  222  or attached to absorbent  222 . In one or more embodiments, absorbent  222  may be configured to filter out humidity such that water-reactive element  212  may not provide false positives, i.e., perform the visible transformation without being immersed in water. In one or more embodiments, when moisture-indicating portion  210  is immersed in water, at least a portion of water-reactive element  212  may dissolve into a water solution, and the water solution may permeate through absorbent  222  to an observable side of absorbent  222  to provide the at least one visual indication. In the example of  FIG. 2B , the observable side of absorbent  222  represents an upper side of absorbent  222  that is visible through  106  from outside of enclosure  204  ( 304 ). 
   In one or more embodiments, detector  202  includes a light-permitting membrane  242  configured to provide protection to moisture-indicating portion  210  while allowing moisture-indicating portion  202  to be visible through hole  106  from outside of enclosure  204  ( 304 ). In one or more embodiments, light-permitting membrane  242  is transparent. As shown in the example of  FIG. 2B , light-permitting membrane  242  may be disposed over the observable side of absorbent  222  of moisture-indicating portion  210 . As a result, moisture-indicating portion  210  may be protected from objects that come through hole  106 . 
   Light-permitting membrane  242  may be made of moisture-proof material such as, for example, moisture-proof plastic. Accordingly, light-permitting membrane  242  may prevent water and humidity from permeating moisture-indicating portion  210  and from entering enclosure  204  ( 304 ) through hole  106 . In the example of  FIG. 2B , with a substantial surface covered by light-permitting membrane  242 , moisture-indicating portion  210  may be prevented from providing false positives, i.e., providing the at least one visual indication without being immersed in water. Further, components of device  200  ( 300 ) inside enclosure  204  ( 304 ) may be protected from humidity and water that come into hole  106 . 
   In one or more embodiments, detector  202  includes an adhesive  232  for securing moisture-indicating portion  210  inside enclosure  204  ( 304 ). In the example of  FIG. 2B , adhesive  232  is disposed on the observable side of absorbent  222 , and moisture-indicating portion  210  is attached to light-permitting membrane  242  by adhesive  232 . In turn, light-permitting membrane is secured on a portion of connector  107  that is fitted in an opening of enclosure  204  ( 304 ). 
   Detector  202  may further include a cover  252  for shielding components inside enclosure  204  ( 304 ) from contacting moisture-indicating portion  210 . Cover  252  may be made of non-conductive and/or moisture-proof material such that electrical circuitry in contact with detector  202  at cover  252  may not be affected by moisture-indicating portion  210 . 
   Detector  202  may be readily custom-made by suppliers such as 3M Company (www.3m.com) of St. Paul, Minn. 
   As shown in the example of  FIG. 2B , detector  202  may be visible to inspector  170  within only a small range, represented by viewing angle  260 , such that a user of device  200  ( 300 ) may not notice the existence of detector  202 , and therefore intention of the user to tamper detector  202  may be prevented. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, detector  202  secured on connector  107 . As shown in the example of  FIG. 3 , light-permitting membrane  242  includes a flap  244  for facilitating light-permitting membrane to be secured on a portion of connector  107  through friction or an adhesive. Moisture-indicating portion  210  is secured on light-permitting membrane  242  such that at least a portion of moisture-indicating portion  210  is visible through hole  106 . Further, moisture-indicating portion  210  is covered by cover  252 . 
   As further illustrated in the example of  FIG. 3 , connector  107  includes conductive contacts  317  for transmitting one or more of audio signals, video signals, data, and electricity. Connector  107  may represent, for example, an audio jack connector. 
     FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, detector  202  before and after water immersion of device  200  ( 300 ). As shown in the example of  FIG. 4A , at least a portion of detector  202  is visible through hole  106  and provides no visual indication of water immersion before device  200  ( 300 ) is immersed in water. Contrarily, as shown in the example of  FIG. 4B , after device  200  ( 300 ) has been immersed in water, detector  202  provides a visual indication  402  that is visible through hole  106 . Visual indication  402  may represent a colored spot. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a detector  502  disposed inside a hole  506  of a device  500 . As shown in the example of  FIG. 5 , detector  502  is visible to inspector  170  through hole  506  from outside of an enclosure  504  of device  500  such that inspector  170  is able to inspect detector  502  without opening or dismantling device  500 . 
   As shown in the example of  FIG. 5 , hole  506  may represent a hole of a component  507 . Component  507  is fitted in an opening of enclosure and may be considered part of enclosure  504 . In one or more embodiments, hole  506  does not completely go through component  507  and is therefore only partially through enclosure  504 . Component  507  may represent a connector configured to provide mechanical or electrical coupling to a peripheral device for device  500 . Alternatively or additionally, hole  506  may represent a portion of a feature of enclosure  504 . 
   In one or more embodiments, detector  502  includes a moisture-indicating portion  210  configured to provide at least one visual indication after moisture-indicating portion  210  has been immersed in water. Detector  502  may further include a light-permitting moisture-proof membrane  542  disposed over moisture-indicating portion  210  for preventing false positives, i.e., the at least on visual indication provided by moisture-indicating portion  210  without device  500  being immersed in water. Detector  502  may further include an adhesive  232  disposed between moisture-indicating portion  210  and light-permitting moisture-proof membrane  542  for joining moisture-indicating portion  210  and light-permitting moisture-proof membrane  542 . 
   Moisture-indicating portion  210  may be secured inside hole  506  by one or more of an adhesive disposed at the bottom of hole  506 , friction provided by an inside wall of component  507 , and a constraint provided by light-permitting moisture-proof membrane  542 . light-permitting moisture-proof membrane  542  may be secured inside hole  506  by at least one of adhesive  232  and friction provided by an inside wall of component  507 . 
   Detector  502  may be readily custom-made by suppliers such as 3M Company (www.3m.com) of St. Paul, Minn. 
   As can be appreciated from the forgoing, embodiments of the present invention may advantageously enable verifying water immersion of a wide variety of devices without opening or dismantling the devices. As a result, processes of inspecting the devices for verifying water immersion may be significantly simplified. Further, with detectors disposed inside the devices, tampering of the detectors may be prevented. 
   While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. For example, although holes with circular openings are illustrated in the figures, holes with other configurations may also be employed in embodiments of the present invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20061207
Publication Date: 20100209
Grant Date: 20100209
Priority Date: 20061207
Inventors: SANFORD EMERY
ZADESKY STEPHEN P.
HOBSON PHILIP M.
HANKEY M. EVANS
LYNCH STEPHEN BRIAN
TAN TANG YEW
WANG ERIK L.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G01N31/222", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01N31/222", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 39284280