Methods and apparatus for detecting unauthorized batteries or tampering by monitoring a thermal profile
First Claim
1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
- a heat generating component;
a thermal sensor;
a battery for powering the portable electronic device;
a thermal element thermally coupled to the heat generating component, the battery, and the thermal sensor, the thermal element sized and shaped so that heat generated by the heat generating component flows through the thermal element towards the thermal sensor and interacts with the battery; and
a processor operationally coupled to the thermal sensor to monitor a thermal profile for the thermal element, the processor configured to compare the monitored thermal profile with an expected thermal profile to determine if the battery is an authorized battery.
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Abstract
According to one aspect, a portable electronic device having a heat generating component, a thermal sensor, an energy storage device for powering the portable electronic device, a thermal element thermally coupled to the heat generating component, the energy storage device, and the thermal sensor. The thermal element is sized and shaped so that heat generated by the heat generating component flows through the thermal element towards the thermal sensor and interacts with the energy storage device. The thermal sensor is used to monitor a thermal profile for the thermal element, and the monitored thermal profile is compared with an expected thermal profile to determine if the integrity of the portable electronic device has been compromised.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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a heat generating component; a thermal sensor; a battery for powering the portable electronic device; a thermal element thermally coupled to the heat generating component, the battery, and the thermal sensor, the thermal element sized and shaped so that heat generated by the heat generating component flows through the thermal element towards the thermal sensor and interacts with the battery; and a processor operationally coupled to the thermal sensor to monitor a thermal profile for the thermal element, the processor configured to compare the monitored thermal profile with an expected thermal profile to determine if the battery is an authorized battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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12. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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a heat generating component; a thermal sensor; an energy storage device for powering the portable electronic device; a thermal element thermally coupled to the heat generating component, the energy storage device, and the thermal sensor, the thermal element sized and shaped so that heat generated by the heat generating component flows through the thermal element towards the thermal sensor and interacts with the energy storage device; and a processor operationally coupled to the thermal sensor to monitor a thermal profile for the thermal element, the processor configured to compare the monitor thermal profile with an expected thermal profile to determine if the integrity of the portable electronic device has been compromised. - View Dependent Claims (13, 18)
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19. A method of monitoring the integrity of a portable electronic device comprising a thermal sensor, a thermal element, a heat generating source and an energy storage device, the method comprising:
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obtaining an expected thermal profile; monitoring a thermal profile using the thermal sensor in thermal contact with the thermal element to obtain a monitored thermal profile for the thermal element, the thermal element thermally coupled to the heat generating source and the energy storage device; and comparing the monitored thermal profile with the expected thermal profile to determine whether the integrity of the portable electronic device has been compromised; wherein comparing the monitored thermal profile includes determining whether the monitored thermal profile is between an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the expected thermal profile, and wherein comparing the monitored thermal profile includes obtaining a reference temperature from a reference element that is coupled to the thermal sensor and the heat generating component and is thermally isolated from the energy storage device.
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Specification