Apple Inc.

James C Clements

Habib Sami Karaki

Paul Mansky

Zijing Zeng

Joseph M Schmitt

Erno H Klaassen

Chad A Bossetti

Anthony D Minervini

Charley T Ogata

Michael Vosgueritchian

Xiaofan Niu

Wegene H Tadele

Helia Rahmani

Daniel W Labove

Ali M Amin

Jiandong Yu

Wanfeng Huang

Mahmut Tosun

Craig C D'souza

Esther Chen

Kuo Jen Huang

Fred Y Chou

Chia-Hsien Lin

Hongling Chen

Robust estimation of temperatures inside and outside a device can be achieved using one or more absolute temperature sensors optionally in conjunction with thermopile heat flux sensors. Thermopile temperature sensing systems can measure a temperature gradient across two locations within the device, to estimate absolute temperature at locations that are impractical to measure using absolute temperature sensors. Using heat flux models associated with the device, the thermopile temperature sensing system can be used to estimate temperature associated with objects that contact an outer surface of the device, such as a user's skin temperature. Additionally, the thermopile temperature sensing system can be used to estimate ambient air temperature. Within a device, temperature measurements from the thermopile temperature sensors can be used to compensate sensor measurements, such as when the accuracy or reliability of a sensor varies with temperature.

Temperature sensing systems and methods including multiple temperature sensors

Embodiments are directed to systems and techniques for tracking menstrual cycles, which can include receiving temperature measurements from an array of temperature sensors positioned on a bed. A use period for the array can be determined when temperature measurements from at least one temperature sensor of the one or more temperature sensors exceed a first temperature threshold. In some embodiments, for each use period in a set of two or more use periods, a temperature of the user using the set of temperatures from the respective use period can be determined. After determining the temperature of the user for each use period in the set of two or more use periods, at least one change in the temperature of the user between different use periods can be identified. An ovulation day of the user based on the at least one change in the temperature of the user can be estimated.

In-bed temperature array for menstrual cycle tracking

An electronic device housing encloses a temperature sensing system including a temperature sensor and a differential temperature probe. The differential temperature probe includes a flexible substrate defining two ends. A first end is thermally coupled to the temperature sensor and a second end is thermally coupled to a surface, volume, or component of the electronic device. The temperature probe is an in-plane thermopile including a series-coupled set of thermocouples extending from the first end to the second end. A temperature measured at the temperature sensor can be a first measured temperature and a voltage difference across leads of the differential temperature probe can be correlated to a differential temperature relative to the first measured temperature. A sum of the differential temperature and the first measured temperature is a second measured temperature, quantifying a temperature of the second end of the differential temperature probe.

Temperature gradient sensing in portable electronic devices

Embodiments include a temperature sensing device that includes a temperature sensor stack that includes a flexible substrate and an array of temperature sensors coupled to the flexible substrate. Each temperature sensor in the array of temperature sensors can include a conductive material defining a continuous pattern extending from a first node to a second node, a first set of conductive traces coupled to the flexible substrate, and a second set of conductive traces coupled to the flexible substrate. The temperature sensing device can include a processing circuit configured to apply an electrical signal across the conductive material of each temperature sensor using the first set of conductive traces, detect an effect of the conductive material of each temperature sensor on the electrical signal using the second set of conductive traces, and determine a temperature for the temperature sensors in the array using the detected effects of the conductive material on the electrical signal.

Flexible temperature sensing devices for body temperature sensing

Embodiments described herein are directed to a temperature measurement device that includes a sensor body configured to be placed on a skin of a user. The temperature measurement device can include a first section defining a first lower surface and having a first thickness, a second section defining a second lower surface and having a second thickness, and a channel separating the first lower surface from the second lower surface. The temperature measurement device can also include a first set of temperature sensors positioned across the first thickness, a second set of temperature sensors positioned across the second thickness, and a processor configured to estimate a tissue temperature of the user based on comparing temperature signals from the first set of temperature sensors with temperature signals from the second set of temperature sensors.

Miniature external temperature sensing device for estimating subsurface tissue temperatures

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Campbell, CA, United States of America

James C Clements