Detecting moisture with an antenna
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for moisture detection, the system comprising:
- a communication apparatus;
a housing for the communication apparatus comprising a conductive cover separated by a dielectric, the dielectric separating the conductive cover into a first cover part and a second cover part, wherein the first cover part is a first antenna and the second cover part is a second antenna separated by the dielectric, the first antenna and the second antenna being external to the communication apparatus;
an impedance sensor configured to detect an impedance at the second antenna based on a received signal received through a wave medium from the first antenna, the wave medium being in and around the communication apparatus; and
a control circuit configured to detect moisture based on the impedance at the second antenna and transmit a moisture event to a switch that disconnects power to one or more components of the communication apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems may be provided that detect moisture with an antenna. Electrical impedance at the antenna may be detected by an impedance sensor. Moisture may be detected based on the impedance at the antenna.
67 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for moisture detection, the system comprising:
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a communication apparatus; a housing for the communication apparatus comprising a conductive cover separated by a dielectric, the dielectric separating the conductive cover into a first cover part and a second cover part, wherein the first cover part is a first antenna and the second cover part is a second antenna separated by the dielectric, the first antenna and the second antenna being external to the communication apparatus; an impedance sensor configured to detect an impedance at the second antenna based on a received signal received through a wave medium from the first antenna, the wave medium being in and around the communication apparatus; and a control circuit configured to detect moisture based on the impedance at the second antenna and transmit a moisture event to a switch that disconnects power to one or more components of the communication apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions executable by a processor, the computer executable instructions comprising:
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instructions executable to transmit an antenna signal from a first cover part of a housing for a communication apparatus, wherein the first cover part is a first antenna, to a second cover part of the housing, wherein the second cover part is a second antenna, the first antenna and the second antenna forming part of the housing for the communication apparatus and being separated by a dielectric, the first antenna and the second antenna being external to the communication apparatus; instructions executable to receive an impedance from an impedance sensor, wherein the impedance is electrical impedance at the second antenna detected by the impedance sensor and based on a received signal received through a wave medium from the first antenna, the wave medium being in and around the communication apparatus; and instructions executable to detect moisture based on the impedance at the second antenna and transmit a moisture event to a switch that disconnects power to one or more components of the communication apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method to detect moisture with an antenna, the method comprising:
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transmitting an antenna signal from a first cover part of a housing for a communication apparatus, wherein the first cover part is a first antenna, to a second cover part of the housing, wherein the second cover part is a second antenna, the first antenna and the second antenna forming part of the housing for the communication apparatus and being separated by a dielectric, the first antenna and the second antenna being external to the communication apparatus; detecting, by an impedance sensor, an impedance at the second antenna based on a received signal received through a wave medium from the first antenna, the wave medium being in and around the communication apparatus; and detecting moisture with a processor based on the impedance at the second antenna wherein the moisture is detected in response to a decrease in the impedance detected by the impedance sensor over time; and transmitting a moisture event to a switch that disconnects power to one or more components of the communication apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification