Methods and apparatuses for detecting moisture
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- connecting a moisture detector, with one or more moisture sensors and with a three-way pneumatic valve comprising a room ambient pneumatic sampling circuit and a device under test (DUT) pneumatic sampling circuit, to an electrical port of an electronic device;
switching the three-way pneumatic valve between the room ambient pneumatic sampling circuit and the DUT pneumatic sampling circuit; and
when the moisture detector is connected to the electronic device, detecting moisture within the electronic device with the one or more moisture sensors by switching the three-way pneumatic valve such that the moisture flows through the DUT pneumatic sampling circuit and such that the moisture is blocked from flowing through the room ambient sampling circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for detecting moisture are disclosed. Embodiments detect the existence and/or level of moisture in electronic devices, such as by using one or more moisture sensors that removably connect to a pre-existing port in the electronic device (such as a headphone jack or similar port). Some embodiments detect a component of the ambient air (such as moisture level) to improve the accuracy of the moisture detector. Some embodiments decrease pressure at the port using a pneumatic pump and move gas from the electronic device into the moisture detector. Some embodiments detect the movement of air in the vicinity of at least one moisture sensor (such as by measuring pressure) and use this information to improve the accuracy of the moisture detector. Some embodiments display information related to the moisture in the electronic device and/or the ambient air.
103 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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connecting a moisture detector, with one or more moisture sensors and with a three-way pneumatic valve comprising a room ambient pneumatic sampling circuit and a device under test (DUT) pneumatic sampling circuit, to an electrical port of an electronic device; switching the three-way pneumatic valve between the room ambient pneumatic sampling circuit and the DUT pneumatic sampling circuit; and when the moisture detector is connected to the electronic device, detecting moisture within the electronic device with the one or more moisture sensors by switching the three-way pneumatic valve such that the moisture flows through the DUT pneumatic sampling circuit and such that the moisture is blocked from flowing through the room ambient sampling circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, comprising:
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connecting at least one device comprising;
a three-way pneumatic valve comprising a room ambient pneumatic sampling circuit and a device under test (DUT) pneumatic sampling circuit, a moisture sensor and a pressure sensor to an electrical port of an electronic device;sampling gas from within an electronic device by generating a low pressure region within the electronic device and by switching the three-way pneumatic valve such that the sampled gas flows through the DUT pneumatic sampling circuit and such that the sampled gas is blocked from flowing through the room ambient sampling circuit; measuring the moisture level within the sampled gas with the moisture sensor; measuring the pressure of the sampled gas with the pressure sensor; and generating a moisture level output by modifying the measured moisture level using information from the measured pressure of the gas. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method, comprising:
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connecting at least one device comprising a three-way pneumatic valve comprising a room ambient pneumatic sampling circuit and a device under test (DUT) pneumatic sampling circuit to an electronic device; sampling gas from within the electronic device by generating a low pressure region within an electrical port of the electronic device and by switching the three-way pneumatic valve such that the sampled gas flows through the DUT pneumatic sampling circuit and such that the sampled gas is blocked from flowing through the room ambient sampling circuit; detecting the moisture level within the sampled gas; sampling ambient air from outside the electronic device; detecting the moisture level within the sampled ambient air; and calculating the moisture level within the sampled gas using the detected moisture level within the sampled gas, and the detected moisture level within the sampled ambient air. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification