Methods, Apparatuses and Systems for Sensing Exposure of Electronic Devices to Moisture

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining and exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both. The moisture sensor, which may be part of the IC, together with the control element may sense moisture within the electronic device

1 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing and a display defining an exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device;   an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element; and   a moisture sensor comprising at least one of an inductive sensor and a capacitance sensor, the moisture sensor being coupled to or part of the IC and associated with the control element, the moisture sensor and the control element together being configured to sense moisture within the electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating element coupled to the IC and configured to generate heat in response to moisture being sensed within the electronic device. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , the heating element comprising one or more heating traces. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising an oscillator configured to convey a clock signal to the moisture sensor and the control element. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the control element is programmable via a communications port of the IC. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , the moisture sensor comprising a capacitance sensor including a shield at least partially surrounding a sense element and separated from the sense element by an air gap. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the control element includes one or more logic circuits. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , the moisture sensor comprising an inductive sensor including an inductive coil at least partially surrounding the IC and configured to receive a voltage pulse from the IC. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , the IC configured to measure an electrical current response after conveying the voltage pulse to determine if moisture is present proximate the IC. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , further comprising a ball grid array (BGA) package including the inductive sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one moisture-resistant element coating at least a portion of the moisture sensor. 
     
     
         12 . A system, comprising:
 an integrated circuit (IC) comprising logic calibrated for determining an occurrence of a moisture event based on a received sensor signal; and   at least one capacitance sensor coupled to the processing element and configured to convey the sensor signal to the logic, the sensor signal indicative of a measured dielectric constant proximate the capacitance sensor.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , the capacitance sensor internal to the IC and configured to detect moisture proximate the IC. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , the capacitance sensor including a shield and a sense element external from and coupled to the IC. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , the shield at least partially surrounding the sense element, wherein the capacitance sensor is configured to detect moisture within a gap separating the shield and the sense element. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the shield is coupled to a ground voltage. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , the capacitance sensor configured to receive a clock signal from an oscillator. 
     
     
         18 . A moisture sense system for use with an electronic device, comprising:
 an integrated circuit (IC);
 a moisture sensor having at least a portion thereof coupled to or part of the IC and comprising at least one of an inductive sensor and a capacitance sensor; 
 a control element in communication with the moisture sensor and configured to receive a sensor signal from the moisture sensor and convey a control signal in response to a detected moisture event; and 
 a heating element switchably coupled to a supply voltage and the control element and configured to generate heat in response to the detected moisture event. 
   
     
     
         19 . The moisture sense system of  claim 18 , the moisture sensor comprising a capacitance sensor including a shield at least partially surrounding a sensor element and separated from the sensor element by a gap. 
     
     
         20 . The moisture response system of  claim 19 , wherein the moisture sensor is configured to measure a dielectric constant within the gap 
     
     
         21 - 25 . (canceled)