Patent Grant
11798501
This application relates generally to ambient temperature monitoring including, but not limited to, methods for determining power consumption of heat generating components (e.g., a display panel, a speaker, and a processor core) of an electronic device for correcting an ambient temperature measured by an internal temperature sensor of the electronic device.
Many electronic devices include temperature sensors intended to measure ambient temperatures of environments in which the electronic devices are located. Such electronic devices often have a compact form factor and enclose the temperature sensor and heat generating electronic components within the same housing. Measurements made by the temperature sensor can be affected by heat from the heat generating electronic components, which results in an inaccurate ambient temperature measurement by the temperature sensor. Thermal insulation is often employed to attempt to isolate the temperature sensor physically and thermally from the heat generating components. However, this adds manufacturing complexity and is not always effective, particularly in compact electronic devices.
This disclosure describes methods for correcting an ambient temperature measured by a temperature sensor of an electronic device (e.g., a display assistant device) based on power consumption of a display driver and/or other heat generating components within the electronic device. The temperature sensor is enclosed in the housing of the electronic device with the display driver and heat generating components. Measurement of the ambient temperature by the temperature sensor may be sensitive to operations of the display driver, WiFi radios, and other heat-generating components. Power consumption levels of the display driver and other heat generating components are individually measured or estimated in real-time. These power consumption levels are employed to determine a correction factor that is applied to the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor. In some implementations, heating models are established for a particular device based on component specifications and real time power consumption values, and enables correction of the measured ambient temperature to within a predefined error tolerance (e.g., ±1° C., ±0.5° C.) with respect to an actual ambient temperature of an environment in which the electronic device is located.
In one aspect, some implementations include a method performed at an electronic device for correcting a temperature measurement of an on-board temperature sensor. An ambient temperature of an environment is measured by a temperature sensor of the electronic device. The electronic device further includes a display panel driven by a display driver. The electronic device determines a power consumption of the display driver by determining a brightness setting of the display panel, estimating a display driver current based on the brightness setting, estimating a driver efficiency of the display driver based on the display driver current, and determining the power consumption of the display driver based on a predetermined display driver voltage, the display driver current, and the driver efficiency. In accordance with the determined power consumption of the display driver, the electronic device determines an ambient temperature correction, and corrects the measured ambient temperature using the ambient temperature correction. In some implementations, the electronic device further includes one or more additional heat-generating electronic components (e.g., a speaker box, a processor core and/or communications radio). A power consumption of the additional heat-generating electronic component(s) is measured using a power monitoring unit, and the ambient temperature correction is determined based on both the power consumption of the display driver and the power consumption of the additional heat-generating electronic component(s).
Thus, systems and devices are provided for correcting temperature measurement of a temperature sensor in an electronic device, particularly when the electronic device has a compact form factor and/or the temperature sensor is disposed in proximity to internal heat sources.
For a better understanding of the various described implementations, reference should be made to the Detailed Description below, in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.
Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
In various implementations, an ambient temperature measured by a temperature sensor of an electronic device (e.g., a display assistant device) is corrected based on power consumption(s) of a display driver and/or one or more heat generating components of the electronic device. The electronic device has a compact form factor in which the temperature sensor is disposed in proximity to the display driver and other heat generating components, such that the temperature sensor is sensitive to heat generated by the display driver and other heat generating components. In a display assistant device, three primary heat sources that impact ambient temperature measurement include a display panel and a display driver, a speaker, and electronic components integrated on a main logic board (MLB). These three primary heat sources are spatially separate from each other and do not exchange electrical inputs and outputs with each other. As such, each of the three primary heat sources of the display assistant device is separately monitored to determine a respective impact on measurement of the ambient temperature, and an ambient temperature correction may be approximated based on a combination of the impacts of these three primary heat sources.
Among the primary heat sources that impact ambient temperature measurement, an impact of each heat source is determined based on its power consumption, and the power consumption is either measured from real time operations of the heat source or estimated based on characteristics of the heat source. For example, in some implementations, power consumption of the speaker or the electronic components of the MLB is measured directly using a power monitoring unit. Conversely, the power monitoring unit is not employed to measure the power consumption of the display panel and display driver of the electronic device. Rather, the power consumption of the display driver is estimated based on the display driver voltage, display brightness setting, and driver efficiency of the display driver. The ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor is corrected based on the power consumption of the heat sources, independently or in combination, thereby providing a corrected ambient temperature that optionally satisfies an ambient temperature accuracy requirement corresponding to a temperature error tolerance (e.g., ±1° C.).
In addition to the display assistant device 120, the home environment 100 includes various devices (also referred to herein as “connected” or “integrated” devices) that are interconnected via a local network 150. In some implementations, the devices include one or more of: a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch) that is worn by a user of the home environment 100, a mobile device 142, a media output device 106, and home devices 110. In some implementations, the home devices 110 include one or more of: a thermostat 108, a connected doorbell/camera 116, and a camera 118. The thermostat 108 detects ambient climate characteristics (e.g., temperature and/or humidity) and controls a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system (not shown) of the home environment 100 accordingly. The connected doorbell/camera 116 alerts the user to the presence of people and/or packages at the front door and monitors activity at the front door. The camera 118 may be part of a home security system that allows the user to track activity around the home environment 100.
By virtue of network connectivity, a user may control the connected devices in the home environment 100 even if the user is not proximate to the devices. As one example, the user may use the display assistant device 120 to view or adjust a current set point temperature of the thermostat 108 (e.g., via the local network 150 and through a communication circuitry 128 of the display assistant device 120). In some implementations, the display assistant device 120 includes program modules that can control the home devices 110 without user interaction. For example, as described below, program modules installed on the display assistant device 120 can control the thermostat 108 to adjust a room temperature of the environment 100 based on the room temperature measured by a temperature sensor 136 of the display assistant device 120. As another example, the camera 118 may store video data locally and wirelessly stream video data to the mobile device 142 or the display assistant device 120 via communication network(s) 160 and/or the local network 150.
In some implementations, at least a subset of the connected devices are also communicatively coupled to a server system 170 through communication network(s) 160. The sever system 170 includes one or more of: an information storage database 172, a device and account database 174, a connected device processing module 176, and a support function for display assistant device module 178. For example, the camera 118 may stream video data to the server system 170 via the communication network(s) 160 for storage on the server system 170 (e.g., the information storage database 172) or for additional processing by the server system 170. The user may access the stored video data using the mobile device 104 (or the display assistant device) via the communication network(s) 160.
In some implementations, the user establishes a user account (e.g., a Google™ user account) with the server system 170 and associates (e.g., adds and/or links) one or more connected devices with the user account. The server system 170 stores information for the user account and associated devices in the device and account database 174.
The server system 170 enables the user to control and monitor information from the connected home devices 110 via the connected device processing module 176 (e.g., using an application executing on the mobile device 104 or assistant capabilities of some of the home devices 110). The user can also link the display assistant device 120 to one or more of the connected home devices 110 via the user account. This allows program modules executing on the display assistant device 120 to receive sensor data and other information collected by the home devices 110 via the server system 170, or send commands via the server system 170 to the home devices 110.
One or more sensors 130 are integrated into the display assistant device 120, and include one or more of: microphone(s) 132, motion sensor(s) 134, a temperature sensor 136, and an ambient light sensor 138. In some implementations, the display assistant device 120 does not have a camera so as to protect the privacy of the user in view of the display assistant device 120. The sensor(s) 130 detect and record sound, movement, and/or ambient conditions (e.g., temperature and light level) in proximity to the display assistant device 120. As used herein, “sound, movement, and/or ambient conditions” are referred to collectively as “events” or “signals.” Recorded sound, movement, and/or ambient conditions are also collectively known as “recorded events” or “recorded signals”. Each of the recorded events is associated with a respective date stamp and timestamp. In some implementations, the recorded events are stored (e.g., as event recordings 192) and processed locally on the display assistant device 120. In some implementations, the display assistant device 120 sends at least a subset of the recorded events to the server system 170 (e.g., to the support function for display assistant device module 178) via the communication network(s) 160 for storage and processing.
In some implementations, the display assistant device 120 includes a base 104 in addition to the display screen 102. The display assistant device 120 has a bezel area surrounding an active display area of the display screen 102. In some implementations, the bezel area includes one or more microphone holes 112, one or more sensor openings 120, and an indicator window 114. One or more microphones 132 are placed behind the microphone holes 112 and collect sound (e.g., including both sound made by a user and ambient sound) in proximity to the display assistant device 120. In some implementations, the display assistant device 120 functions as a voice assistant device and the microphones collect audio inputs for initiating various media play functions of the display assistant device 120 and/or a media output device, or controlling various home devices disposed in the home or office environment where the display assistant device 120 is disposed. Additionally, an indicator may be disposed behind the indicator window 114. In some implementations, the indicator provides a sequential lighting pattern to indicate whether the display assistant device 120 is active or inactive, whether the microphone(s) 132 and/or speaker(s) 126 of the display assistant device 120 are muted or not, and/or a processing state (e.g., detecting, recording, analyzing, displaying, and/or speaking).
In some implementations, the sensor opening 120 exposes a motion sensor 134, which records movement in proximity to the display assistant device 120. In some implementations, the sensor opening 120 exposes one or more ambient sensors (e.g., the temperature sensor 136 and the ambient light sensor 138) that monitor and record ambient conditions (e.g., temperature and light level) in proximity to the display assistant device 120. In some implementations, the display assistant device 120 includes multiple sensor openings 120, and each sensor opening 120 exposes one of the one or more ambient sensors with which the display assistant device 120 is equipped.
Specifically, in some implementations, the sensor opening 120 is open to air. The temperature sensor 136 is located in the sensor opening 120, and configured to measure an ambient temperature of the home or office environment where the display assistant device 120 is located. The ambient temperature is optionally used to analyze a sleep quality of a user or control one or more home devices (e.g., an HVAC system) in the same home or office environment 100. In some implementations, the display assistant device 120 has a compact form factor, e.g., when the display assistant device 120 preferably has a geometric dimension that can fit into and/or merge with most home or office environments. The display assistant device 120 contains the processing circuitry 124, memory 122, the speaker(s) 126, microphone(s) 132, and display screen 102 within a limited space of a device housing of the display assistant device 120. The temperature sensor 136 may unavoidably be disposed in proximity to one or more of heat generating components (e.g., the display driver 140, speaker(s) 126 or processing circuitry 124), and cannot be entirely insulated from heat generated by these components. In some implementations, an ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor 136 is corrected based on power consumptions of these heat generating components.
In some implementations, the display assistant device 120 includes memory 122, processing circuitry 124, speaker(s) 126, communication circuitry 128 (e.g., network interface(s)), and sensor(s) 130. The memory 122 stores programs that, when executed by elements of the processing circuitry 124, perform one or more of the functions described with reference to
Referring to
In some implementations, the display assistant device 120 further includes a main logic board (MLB) 340 mounted on a rear surface of the middle frame 304. The MLB 340 includes electronic components that generate heat. A heat sink 314 is attached to the MLB 340 to absorb some of the generated heat. The MLB 340 and the heat sink 314 are attached to the rear surface of the middle frame 304, which is further assembled with the display panel 302 and the back cover 306. The back cover 306 includes a first opening 318 at a central portion of the rear surface of the display screen 102. When the back cover 306 is assembled onto the display screen 102, the MLB 340 and the heat sink 314 are aligned with the first opening 318 and protrude out of the first opening 318 of the back cover 306.
In addition to the MLB 340, the display assistant device 500 includes a control board 334. The control board 334 is disposed adjacent to a long edge of the middle frame 304 and configured to drive at least one or more microphones 342 and monitor signals from one or more sensors (e.g., a temperature sensor 136).
The base 104 of the display assistant device 120 includes a base housing 320, a speaker assembly 322, a power board 324 and a base mount plate 326. The base housing 320 encloses the speaker assembly 322, and includes a plurality of speaker grill portions that permit sound generated by the speaker assembly 322 to exit the base housing 320 of the base 104. Referring to a front view of the speaker assembly 322, the speaker assembly 322 includes a speaker 126 embedded in a speaker waveguide 330. Referring to
The speaker 126 is configured to project sound substantially towards a front view of the display assistant device 120, i.e., project a substantial portion of sound generated by the speaker 126 towards the space between the bottom edge of the display screen 102 and the surface where the display assistant device 120 sites. The base housing 320 of the base 104 includes a plurality of speaker grill portions disposed on one or more of a front surface, a rear surface, a left side and a right side of the base 104. In some implementations, a substantial portion (e.g., 80% or more) of the sound generated by the speaker 126 exits the base 104 via speaker grill portions on the front surface of the base 104. Remaining portions of the sound generated by the speaker 126 are guided inside the base housing 320 to exit the base 104 via a subset of speaker grill portions that are disposed on one or more of the rear surface, left side and right side of the base 104. During the course of projecting the sound out of the base housing 320, the speaker 126 also helps carry heat generated by heat generating components (e.g., the MLB 340, speaker 126, and display panel 302) with air. As such, the heat is carried out via the front and rear surfaces of the base 104, e.g., along one or more of a plurality of sound propagation paths A, B and C.
In some implementations, a temperature sensor 136 is enclosed within a device housing of the display screen 102 and near a top edge of the display screen 102. The device housing of the display screen 102 may have a sensor opening 120 exposing the temperature sensor 136 to the air, such that the temperature sensor 136 can measure an ambient temperature accurately. The control board 334 is disposed adjacent to the top edge of the display screen 102 and configured to monitor signals from the temperature sensor 136. In some implementations, the temperature sensor 136 is at least partially insulated thermally from the heat-generating electronic components (e.g., the MLB 340). Further, the temperature sensor 136 may be positioned within the device 120 to be as far as possible from the heat generating components, heat sink 314, and sound propagation paths. For example, referring to
In some implementations, a location of the temperature sensor 136 in the display assistant device 120 is determined based on an average distance of the temperature sensor 136 from a selection of heat generating components. The selection of heat generating components includes a number of (e.g., 3) heat generating components that generate the greatest amount of heat among all heat generating components of the display assistant device 120. In an example, the location of the temperature sensor 136 is determined based on an average distance from the speaker 126, MLB 340 and display module 308. The average distance from the selection of heat generating components may be a weighted average of the temperature sensor's distances from the selected heat generating components. Each selected heat generating component corresponds to a weight that is optionally determined based on a thermal conduction rate between the temperature sensor and the respective selected heat generating component. In some implementations, the temperature sensor 136 is disposed at a location where the average distance of the temperature sensor 136 from the selected heat generating components is maximized, which ensures that an ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor 136 is least impacted by the selected heat generating components and can be corrected to satisfy an ambient temperature accuracy requirement.
Referring to
In some situations, a lower corner 410 of the display screen 102 is least impacted by the heat generated by the heat generating components of the display assistant device 120, and shows the smallest temperature increase during operation of the device 120 compared with other portions of the display assistant device 120. The temperature sensor 136 is disposed in the lower corner 410 and immediately adjacent to the device housing of the display screen 102. Alternatively, in some embodiments, an edge region 412A or 412B of the display screen 102 is not least impacted by the heat generating components of the display assistant device 120, but still, has a relatively small temperature increase (e.g., less than 10° C.). The temperature sensor 136 is disposed in the edge region 412A or 412B of the display screen 102 and corresponds to an ambient temperature error that can be accurately corrected based on power consumptions of the heat generating components of the display assistant device 120.
In some implementations, the temperature correction system 500 includes a power estimation module 506 coupled to the display driver 140. The power estimation module 506 obtains information of the predetermined display driver voltage VD and the brightness setting of the display panel 302, and determines the power consumption PDSP of the display driver 140. Specifically, in some implementations, the power consumption PDSP of the display driver 140 is estimated by the power estimation module 506 based on a display power equation as follows:
PDSP=VDID/ηD (1)
where VD, ID, and ηD are a display driver voltage, a display driver current, and a driver efficiency of the display driver 140, respectively. In some implementations, the display driver voltage VD is predetermined. When the display driver 140 is configured to drive one or more backlight light emitting diodes (LEDs), the display driver voltage VD is used to drive the one or more backlight LEDs. In practice, the display driver voltage VD may be estimated using a typical driver voltage published in a datasheet of the display driver 140. A display driver voltage error (e.g., up to 8% in some corner cases) is introduced when the display driver voltage VD deviates from the typical driver voltage. Next, the display driver current ID is determined based on a brightness setting of the display panel 302. A maximum display driver current is associated with a maximum brightness level, e.g., by factory calibration or according to predefined specifications of the display driver 140. A linear relationship exists between the brightness setting and the display driver current ID. Given the brightness setting, the display driver current ID is estimated based on the linear relationship. Further, the display efficiency ηD is optionally predetermined at an average efficiency level (e.g., 94%) that is calibrated from a plurality of display drivers 140. This fixed display efficiency ηD may be applied independently of the brightness setting and corresponding display driver current. Alternatively, in some implementations, the display efficiency ηD is adjusted based on the display driver current ID. As such, the power consumption PDSP of the display driver 140 is determined by combining the predetermined display driver voltage VD, the display driver current ID, and the driver efficiency ηD.
Additionally, in some implementations, the display assistant device 120 includes one or more additional heat generating components, e.g., a speaker 126 and electronic components on an MLB 340. For example, the speaker 126 is driven by an audio booster 508 and an audio amplifier 510. The audio booster 508 and amplifier 510 are powered by the power supply 504 of the display assistant device 120. A first power monitoring unit 512 is coupled between the power supply 504 and the audio booster 508 and amplifier 510, and configured to measure a power consumption PSPK of the speaker 126 directly. Specially, the first power monitoring unit 512 measures an electronic voltage and electronic current driving the speaker 126, and determines the power consumption PSPK based on the measured electronic voltage and electronic current. In some situations, the first power monitoring unit 512 has a sampling rate and a power averaging frequency. The electronic voltage and electronic current driving the speaker 126 are measured at the sampling rate and averaged during each power averaging duration corresponding to the power averaging frequency. The power consumption PSPK of the speaker 126 is determined based on the averaged electronic voltage and current during each power averaging duration. Stated another way, during each power averaging duration, power consumption levels of the speaker 126 and its associated circuit (e.g., the audio booster 508 and amplifier 510) are determined according to the sampling rate and based on the electronic voltage and current, and these sampled power consumption levels are averaged to determine the power consumption PSPK of the speaker 126.
In an example, the first power monitoring unit 512 is based on an integrated analog-to-digital converter (ADC). When a number of electronic voltage and current values driving the speaker 126 are measured and accumulated, the first power monitoring unit 512 calculates an average electronic voltage, current or power consumption value, and stores the average value in a register of the display assistant device 120 for retrieval. The first power monitoring unit 512 optionally has a conversion time selected from conversion time range (e.g., between 140 μs and 8.244 ms) and corresponding to a sampling rate. The first power monitoring unit 512 may define the number of electronic voltage and current values that are averaged, e.g., as any integer number between 1 and 1024. In an example, a voltage conversion time is 140 μs and a current conversion time is 8.244 ms. The number of electronic voltage and current values that are averaged is 16. The power consumption PSPK of the speaker 126 is averaged every 134 ms.
Alternatively, in some implementations, the one or more additional heat generating components include electronic components (e.g., processing circuitry 124 including a processor core) integrated on the MLB 340. For example, the electronic components on the MLB 340 are driven by a plurality of supply units 514, 516 and 518 that are coupled to and generated from the power supply 504 of the display assistant device 120. Each of the supply units 514-518 is further coupled to, and configured to drive a respective subset of electronic components. A second power monitoring unit 520 is coupled to one of the supply units 514-518 to measure a power consumption PEC of the corresponding subset of electronic components. For example, the supply unit 518 is coupled to drive the processor core of the MLB 340, and the second power monitoring unit 520 can be coupled to the supply unit 518 to measure the power consumption of the processor core. Like the first power monitoring unit 512, the second power monitoring unit 520 optionally measures an electronic voltage and an electronic current driving the corresponding supply unit 514, 516 or 518, and determines the power consumption PCE based on the measured electronic voltage and electronic current. In some situations, the second power monitoring unit 520 has a sampling rate and a power averaging frequency. The electronic voltage and electronic current driving the speaker 126 are measured at the sampling rate and during each power averaging duration corresponding to the power averaging frequency. More details on the second power monitoring unit 520 are described above with reference to the first power monitoring unit 512.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the display assistant device 120 has a temperature error tolerance (e.g., ±0.5° C.) for the measured ambient temperature. The display panel 302 or one or more heat generating components may need to be identified as primary heat sources that cause a temperature error to go beyond the temperature error tolerance. Power consumptions of these identified components are monitored for determining the ambient temperature correction ΔT and correcting the ambient temperature TM. In some situations, the display panel 302 and driver 140 accounts for a substantial portion of the temperature error, and only the power consumption PDSP needs to be determined to correct the ambient temperature and satisfy the temperature error tolerance. Alternatively, in some situations, the display panel 302 and driver 140 alone does not account for a substantial portion of the temperature error, and however, accounts for the substantial portion of the temperature drift jointly with one or more heat generating components (e.g., the speaker 126, the processing circuitry 124). The power consumptions of the display driver 140 and the one or more heat generating components need to be determined to correct the ambient temperature and satisfy the temperature error tolerance.
In some embodiments, functions of the ambient temperature correction unit 522, power estimation module 506, and power monitoring units 512 and 520 are implemented according to a temperature monitoring and correction module 182 stored in a memory 122 of the display assistant device 120. Data 186 of power consumptions PDSP, PSPK, and PCE are stored in the memory 122 as well. The ambient temperature TM is also recorded as part of event recordings 192 in the memory 122.
In some implementations, the lookup table 600 correlates a plurality of efficiency levels 604 with a plurality of predefined driver current levels 602 of the display driver 140, and is used to determine the display efficiency ηD based on the display driver current ID. Specifically, in an example, the display driver current ID is identified directly from the plurality of predefined driver current levels 602. A first efficiency level correlates with the display driver current ID in the lookup table 600. The driver efficiency ηD of the display driver 140 is determined to be equal to the first efficiency level. Alternatively, in another example, none of the plurality of predefined driver current levels in the lookup table 600 is equal to the display driver current ID determined based on the brightness setting, and the display efficiency level ηD is determined using linear interpolation. The plurality of predefined driver current levels 602 is ordered in magnitude to an ordered sequence. A second driver current level and a third driver current level that are next to each other are identified in the ordered sequence of the predefined driver current levels. The display driver current ID has a magnitude in a range defined by the second and third driver current levels. Based on the magnitude of the display driver current ID, the driver efficiency ηD is determined from a second driver efficiency level and a third driver efficiency level corresponding to the second and third driver current levels in the lookup table 600, respectively, e.g., based on linear interpolation.
Further, in some implementations, the lookup table 600 further correlates the plurality of efficiency levels 604 with one or more additional characteristics 606 of the display driver 140 (e.g., the predetermined driver voltage VD 606A, the brightness setting 606B, and the maximum current 606C), thereby allowing the driver efficiency ηD to be estimated more accurately. Conversely, in some implementations not shown here, a display efficiency formula is established to correlate the display efficiency level ηD with the display driver current ID and/or the one or more additional characteristics 606. During the course of correcting an ambient temperature correction ΔT, the display efficiency level ηD is derived from the display efficiency formula when the display driver current ID and/or the one or more additional characteristics 606 are determined.
The lookup table 600 or display efficiency formula is optionally established based on calibrations before the display assistant device 120 is shipped out of factory or based on computer-based modelling implemented before or after the display assistant device 120 is shipped out of factory. The lookup table 600 or display efficiency formula is loaded into a memory of the display assistant device 120, before the display assistant device 120 is shipped out of factory. In some implementations, the display assistant device is coupled to a remote server via one or more communication networks, and the lookup table 600 or display efficiency formula is optionally updated under the control of the remote sever.
In some implementations, the measured ambient temperature TM satisfies the temperature error tolerance when the temperature error caused by the display driver 140 is corrected. The lookup table 700 correlates a plurality of temperature correction values 702 with a plurality of display power levels 704 of the display driver 140. In some implementations, the power consumption PDSP of the display driver 140 is determined based on a predetermined display driver voltage VD, a display driver current ID, and a driver efficiency ηD, and matches one of the plurality of display power levels 704 in the lookup table 700. The ambient temperature correction ΔT associated with the power consumption PDSP is determined as one of the plurality of temperature correction values 702 corresponding to the matched one of the plurality of display power levels 704 in the lookup table 700. Alternatively, the power consumption PDSP of the display driver 140 as determined does not match any of the plurality of display power levels 704 in the lookup table 700, and the corresponding ambient temperature correction ΔT is determined based on linear interpolation. That said, the display power levels 704 of the display driver 140 are ordered in magnitude to an ordered sequence. The power consumption PDSP of the display driver 140 as determined is in a ranged defined by two neighboring power levels of the display drier 140 in the ordered sequence, and the corresponding ambient temperature correction ΔT is linearly interpolated from two temperature correction values corresponding to the two neighboring power levels of the display driver 140 in the ordered sequence.
In some implementations, the measured ambient temperature TM satisfies the temperature error tolerance when the temperature error caused by the display driver 140 and one or more additional heat generating components (e.g., the speaker 126, MLB circuit, or a combination thereof) is corrected. In addition to the display power levels 704, the lookup table 700 correlates the plurality of temperature correction values 702 with a plurality of power levels of the one or more heat generating components (e.g., a plurality of speaker power levels 706, a plurality of MLB circuit power levels 708) as well. The ambient temperature correction ΔT may be determined directly or interpolated indirectly from the plurality of temperature correction values 702.
In some implementations, a correlation between the temperature correction values 702 and the power levels 704-708 varies with an ambient temperature TM. The lookup table 700 also associates the correlation with an ambient temperature levels 710. Optionally, the ambient temperature levels 710 are based on the measured ambient temperature TM.
Conversely, in some implementations not shown here, a temperature correction formula is established to correlate an ambient temperature correction ΔT with a power consumption of a display driver 140, one or more power consumptions of the one or more heat generating components, and/or the measured ambient temperature. The temperature correction formula is optionally established based on calibrations implemented before the display assistant device is shipped out of factory. Examples of the temperature correction formula include, but are not limited to:
ΔT=ƒ(w1PDSP+w2PSPK+w3PEC,TM) (2)
ΔT=ƒ1(PDSP,TM)+ƒ2(PSPK,TM)+ƒ3(PEC,TM) (3)
where w1, w2, and w3 are weights applied to combine power consumptions of the display driver 140, speaker 126, and components of the MLB 340, respectively, and each of the functions ƒ, ƒ1, ƒ2, and ƒ3 is optionally linear or non-linear with respect to the corresponding power consumption and ambient temperature TM. Each weight that is optionally determined based on a distance and/or a thermal conduction rate between the temperature sensor 136 and the respective selected heat generating component. During the course of temperature correction, the corresponding power consumptions are measured or estimated, and the ambient temperature correction ΔT is determined from the power consumptions using the temperature correction formula.
Additionally, in some implementations, the lookup table 700 or temperature correction formula is based on a particular device type and a location of the temperature sensor 136 within the display assistant device 120, and is calibrated or modelled before each display assistant device 120 is shipped out of factory. The lookup table 700 or temperature correction formula is optionally loaded into a memory of the display assistant device 120. Alternatively, in some implementations, the display assistant device 120 is coupled to a remote server via one or more communication networks, and the lookup table 700 or temperature correction formula is loaded or updated under the control of the remote sever.
Each power consumption has a respective power variance caused by corresponding power estimation or measurement, and the respective power variance results in a respective temperature correction error. For example, the speaker 126 has a power consumption PSPK of 2 W, which is measured with a power variance up to 5%, and the corresponding ambient temperature error can be determined to be less than 0.1° C. A combination of the temperature correction errors associated with the power variances of the power consumptions can be controlled within the predefined temperature error tolerance (e.g., ±0.5° C.).
The electronic device determines (804) a power consumption PDSP of the display driver 140. Specifically, the electronic device determines (806) a brightness setting of the display, and estimates (808) a display driver current ID based on the brightness setting. Based on the display driver current, the electronic device estimates (810) a driver efficiency of the display driver, and determines (812) the power consumption PDSP of the display driver 140 based on a predetermined display driver voltage VD, the display driver current ID, and the driver efficiency ηD. An ambient temperature correction ΔT is determined (814) in accordance with the determined power consumption of the display driver, and used to correct (816) the measured ambient temperature TM.
In some implementations, the driver efficiency ηD of the display driver 140 is established based on the display driver current ID using a predefined display efficiency lookup table 600 that correlates a plurality of efficiency levels 604 with a plurality of predefined drive current levels 602 of the display driver 140. Further, in some implementations, the display driver current ID is identified in the plurality of predefined drive current levels 602 and corresponds to a first efficiency level in the display efficiency lookup table. The driver efficiency ηD of the display driver 140 is thereby associated with the first efficiency level. Alternatively, in some implementations, the plurality of predefined drive current levels 602 is ordered in magnitude to an ordered sequence. A second driver current level and a third driver current level that are next to each other are identified in the ordered sequence of the predefined drive current levels. The display driver current ID has a magnitude in a range defined by the second and third driver current levels. Based on the magnitude of the display driver current, the driver efficiency is determined from a second driver efficiency level and a third driver efficiency level corresponding to the second and third driver current levels in the display efficiency lookup table 600, respectively. More details on determining the driver efficiency ηD using the display efficiency lookup table 600 are explained above with reference to
In some implementations, the ambient temperature correction ΔT is determined based on the determined power consumption PDSP of the display driver using a temperature correction lookup table 700. The temperature correction lookup table 700 correlating a plurality of correction values 702 with a plurality of display driver power levels 704. Further, in some implementations, the temperature correction lookup table 700 is based on a particular device type and a location of the temperature sensor within the electronic device. More details on determining the ambient temperature correction ΔT based on the temperature correction lookup table 700 are explained above with reference to
Additionally, in some implementations, the electronic device includes an additional heat-generating component and directly measures power consumption of the additional heat-generating component using a power monitoring unit (e.g., units 512 and 520 in
In some implementations, the electronic device includes a plurality of additional heat-generating components that are located at different portions of the electronic device with respect to a location of the temperature sensor 136. For each additional heat-generating component, a distinct power monitoring unit measures a respective power consumption of the additional heat-generating component. The ambient temperature correction ΔT is determined based on both the power consumption PDSP of the display driver and the power consumptions of the additional heat-generating components. More details on determining the ambient temperature correction ΔT based on the power consumptions of the heat generating components are discussed above with reference to
Alternatively, the power consumption PDSP of the display driver 140 may be directly monitored using a power monitoring unit. This constitutes a more expensive solution than estimating the power consumption PDSP based on the brightness setting and the display efficiency lookup table 600. In some cost-sensitive situations, estimation of the power consumption PDSP based on the brightness setting and lookup table is preferred over using a power monitoring unit directly.
The terminology used in the description of the various described implementations herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Additionally, it will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.
As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting” or “in accordance with a determination that,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in accordance with a determination that [a stated condition or event] is detected,” depending on the context.
It is to be appreciated that a “home environment” may refer to environments for homes such as a single-family house, but the scope of the present teachings is not so limited. The present teachings are also applicable, without limitation, to duplexes, townhomes, multi-unit apartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, office buildings, industrial buildings, and more generally any living space or work space.
The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles of operation and practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art.
Although various drawings illustrate a number of logical stages in a particular order, stages that are not order dependent may be reordered and other stages may be combined or broken out. While some reordering or other groupings are specifically mentioned, others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, so the ordering and groupings presented herein are not an exhaustive list of alternatives. Moreover, it should be recognized that the stages can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof.
The above description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific implementations. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The implementations were chosen in order to best explain the principles underlying the claims and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the implementations with various modifications as are suited to the particular uses contemplated.
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