Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DRYING AND/OR SANITIZING ELECTRONIC
DEVICES INCLUDING HEARING AID DEVICES
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
Embodiments of the present
disclosure generally relate to drying and/or sanitizing
electronic devices, including hearing aid devices.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There is a need to dry and/or sanitize all electronic devices,
including hearing aid
devices, which are essential for countless people to lead normal lives.
SUMMARY
[0003] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for drying hearing aid
devices, the
apparatus comprising: a low-pressure chamber having an interior configured for
placement of
a hearing aid device in the interior and removal of the hearing aid device
from the interior; an
evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to
the low-
pressure chamber, wherein the heater, comprising a conductive surface in
physical contact
with the hearing aid device, conductively heats the hearing aid device; a
component for
maintaining the hearing aid device in physical contact with the conductive
surface during
removal of moisture from the hearing aid device; and at least one control
system connected to
the evacuation pump and to the heater, the at least one control system
controlling removal of
the moisture from the hearing aid device by controlling the evacuation pump to
decrease
pressure within the low-pressure chamber, and controlling operation of the
heater to
conductively heat the hearing aid device.
[0004] In some embodiments, the component comprises a strap, wherein the
apparatus
comprises a lid, and wherein the strap is connected to an attachment stud
positioned on an
interior surface of the lid.
[0005] In some embodiments, the strap is in physical contact with the hearing
aid device
when the lid of the apparatus is closed, thereby sealing the apparatus during
the removal of
the moisture from the hearing aid device.
[0006] In some embodiments, the evacuation pump comprises a vacuum tube.
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[0007] In some embodiments, the evacuation pump comprises a vacuum tube and a
vacuum
wand.
[0008] In some embodiments, the vacuum wand is pneumatically activatable or
deactivatable.
[0009] In some embodiments, a surface of the low-pressure chamber is at least
one of
circular, square, elliptical, or rectangular.
[0010] In some embodiments, the low-pressure chamber has a volume equal to or
greater
than five cubic inches and less than or equal to twenty-five cubic inches.
[0011] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a lid for the
apparatus or the
low-pressure chamber.
[0012] In some embodiments, the lid and the low-pressure chamber are
manufactured with a
polymer material.
[0013] In some embodiments, an interior surface of the lid is coated with
metallized coating.
[0014] In some embodiments, an interior surface of the low-pressure chamber is
coated with
metallized coating.
[0015] In some embodiments, the metallized coating of the low-pressure chamber
substantially prevents desorption of moisture in the low-pressure chamber.
[0016] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises an ultraviolet
(UV) light
source, wherein light from the UV light source reflects off of the metallized
coating of the
low-pressure chamber or off of second metallized coating of a lid of the
apparatus.
[0017] In some embodiments, the light from the UV light source at least
partially disinfects
the hearing aid device.
[0018] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a seal for the low-
pressure
chamber, wherein the seal substantially prevents desorption of moisture in or
from the low-
pressure chamber.
[0019] In some embodiments, the apparatus further a charging cord for
connecting to the
hearing aid device and charging a power source comprised in the hearing aid
device.
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[0020] In some embodiments, the apparatus further wireless charging circuitry
for wirelessly
charging a power source comprised in the hearing aid.
[0021] In some embodiments, the wireless charging circuitry is in
communication with a
conductive heating surface on which the hearing aid device rests in the low-
pressure
chamber.
[0022] In some embodiments, the apparatus further a conductive heating
assembly located in
the low-pressure chamber.
[0023] In some embodiments, the conductive heating assembly further comprises
the
conductive heating surface on which the hearing aid device rests in the low-
pressure
chamber.
[0024] In some embodiments, the conductive heating assembly comprises a
printed circuit
board.
[0025] In some embodiments, the printed circuit board further comprises a
heater trace.
[0026] In some embodiments, the conductive healing assembly further comprises
an
ultraviolet (UV) light array.
[0027] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a pressure sensor
for
measuring a pressure in the low-pressure chamber.
[0028] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a humidity sensor
for
measuring a humidity in the low-pressure chamber.
[0029] In some embodiments, data from the humidity sensor enables
determination of an
amount of moisture removed from the hearing aid device or the low-pressure
chamber.
[0030] In some embodiments, data from the humidity sensor enables
determination of an
amount of moisture remaining in the hearing aid device or the low-pressure
chamber.
[0031] In some embodiments, data from the humidity sensor enables
determination of an
amount of remaining lime for removing the moisture from the hearing aid
device.
[0032] In some embodiments, the humidity sensor transmits a sensor signal or
samples the
humidity within the low-pressure chamber at least 10 times per second.
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[0033] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a conductive
heating assembly
comprising a printed circuit board, and a humidity sensor for measuring a
humidity in the
low-pressure chamber, wherein the humidity sensor is mountable to the printed
circuit board.
[0034] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a conductive
heating assembly
comprising a printed circuit board, and a humidity sensor for measuring a
humidity in the
low-pressure chamber, wherein the humidity sensor is thermally isolated from
the printed
circuit board.
[0035] In some embodiments, a range of the thermal isolation is greater than
or equal to 0 C
and is less than or equal to 15 'C.
[0036] In some embodiments, the humidity sensor is mountable to a second
printed circuit
board different from the printed circuit board.
[0037] In some embodiments, the printed circuit board comprises a printed
circuit board
heater.
[0038] In some embodiments, a power of the evacuation pump is equal to or
greater than 0.5
watts and is equal to or less than 500 watts.
[0039] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a communication
device,
wherein the conrimunication device transmits data to at least one of a mobile
device or a
server.
[0040] In some embodiments, the mobile device executes an application.
[0041] In some embodiments, the application processes the data to enable
determination of at
least one of an amount of moisture removed from the hearing aid device or the
low-pressure
chamber, an amount of moisture remaining in the hearing aid device or the low
pressure
chamber, an elapsed or remaining duration associated drying the hearing aid
device, a status
of the apparatus, or a power source level of the apparatus.
[0042] In some embodiments, the data comprises moisture-related data and
identification
data associated with at least one of the apparatus or the hearing aid device.
[0043] In some embodiments, the server is in communication with a database,
wherein the
data is stored in a record of the database, wherein the record is associated
with the apparatus
or the hearing aid device.
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[0044] In some embodiments, the hearing aid device, wherein the hearing aid
device
transmits data to at least one of a mobile device or a server.
[0045] In some embodiments, the mobile device executes an application.
[0046] In some embodiments, the application processes the data to enable
determination of at
5 least one of an amount of moisture removed from the hearing aid device or
the low-pressure
chamber, an amount of moisture remaining in the hearing aid device or the low
pressure
chamber, an elapsed or remaining duration associated drying the hearing aid
device, a status
of the apparatus, or a power source level of the apparatus.
[0047] In some embodiments, the data comprises moisture-related data and
identification
data associated with at least one of the apparatus or the hearing aid device.
[0048] In some embodiments, the server is in communication with a database,
wherein the
data is stored in a record of the database, wherein the record is associated
with the apparatus
or the hearing aid device.
[0049] In some embodiments, the hearing aid device comprises a receiver in the
canal (RIC)
hearing aid device.
[0050] In some embodiments, the hearing aid device sends an alert to a mobile
device or a
server when the hearing aid device determines a moisture level in the hearing
aid device
equal to or greater than a threshold level.
[0051] In some embodiments, the hearing aid device periodically sends an alert
to a mobile
device or a server to initiate a drying operation for the hearing aid device.
[0052] In some embodiments, a computing device is either located in the
apparatus or is
located external to the apparatus, and wherein the computing device executes
instructions for
at least one of receiving, processing, or transmitting data associated with at
least one of the
apparatus, the hearing aid device, or a user of the hearing aid device.
[0053] In some embodiments, the computing device: searches for a record of the
hearing aid
device in a database, and in response to finding the record for the hearing
aid device in the
database, initiates a computing operation for registering additional hearing
aid devices
associated with the hearing aid device.
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[0054] In some embodiments, the computing device: searches for a record of the
hearing aid
device in a database, and in response to finding the record for the hearing
aid device in the
database, generates, receives, or extracts a token from a second computing
device or the
database.
[0055] In some embodiments, the token is uniquely associated with at least one
of the
computing device, the record, the database, the apparatus, the hearing aid
device, or the user
of the hearing aid device.
[0056] In some embodiments, a location associated with the hearing aid device,
the
computing device, or the apparatus is determined to be an approved location
for executing a
drying operation for the hearing aid device.
[0057] In some embodiments, the location is determined to be the approved
location by at
least one of the computing device or the apparatus based on referencing
location-related
information from a database, and determining whether the location corresponds
with the
location-related information.
[0058] In some embodiments, the location-related information is associated
with a record.
[0059] In some embodiments, the token is communicated to the apparatus or the
computing
device such that the apparatus, the computing device, or a user of the
apparatus or the
computing device initiates a drying operation for the hearing aid device based
on receipt of
the token or based on successful processing of the token.
[0060] In some embodiments, the computing device initiates transmitting of
information
associated with the drying operation to the database.
[0061] In some embodiments, the computing device is identified based on
referencing or
accessing a database comprising information associated with one or more
computing devices.
[0062] In some embodiments, the computing device is associated with a database
associated
with the apparatus or a location of the apparatus, the location being
associated with or
comprising at least one of a physical location, a network location, a
merchant, or an entity.
[0063] In some embodiments, identification information associated with the
computing
device is stored in a database.
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[0064] In some embodiments, the database stores information associated with
computing
devices registered with a location, a network, or an entity associated with
the apparatus.
[0065] In some embodiments, the database stores information associated with
hearing aid
devices registered with a location, a network, or an entity associated with
the apparatus, or
registered by the computing device or a user of the computing device.
[0066] In some embodiments, the data comprises at least one of a manufacturer
of the
hearing aid device or a model of the hearing aid device.
[0067] In some embodiments, the data is used to determine post-drying
operability of
different types of hearing aid devices.
[0068] In some embodiments, the at least one control system is further
configured for
determining whether to stop or continue removing the moisture from the hearing
aid device
based on data associated with at least one of the hearing aid device or the
low-pressure
chamber.
[0069] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one
connection device,
wherein the apparatus sends first data to, using the at least one connection
device, or receives
second data from, using the at least one connection device, a database system,
the database
system associated with a database, and wherein the apparatus sends third data
to, using the at
least one connection device, or receives fourth data from, using the at least
one connection
device, a computing device.
[0070] In some embodiments, the apparatus uses Hypertext Transfer Protocol
(HTTP)
commands to communicate with the database system.
[0071] In some embodiments, the at least one connection device comprises a
first connection
device and a second connection device, and wherein the apparatus: sends the
first data to the
database system using the first connection device or receives the second data
from the
database system using the first connection device, and sends the third data to
the computing
device using the second connection device or receives the fourth data from the
computing
device using the second connection device.
[0072] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one
connection device,
wherein the at least one connection device comprises a first connection device
and a second
connection device, and wherein the apparatus: sends first data, to a database
system, using the
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first connection device, or receives second data, from the database system,
using the first
connection device; or sends third data, to a computing device, using the
second connection
device, or receives fourth data, from the computing device, using the second
connection
device_
[0073] In some embodiments, a hearing aid apparatus is provided, the apparatus
comprising:
a power interrupting circuit; a communication device; a receiver comprising a
receiver
humidity sensor; a body comprising a body humidity sensor; a controller in
communication
with the power interrupting circuit, the communication device, the receiver
humidity sensor,
and the body humidity sensor.
[0074] In some embodiments, the communication device comprises at least one of
a WiFi
communication device, a cellular communication device, a Bluetooth
communication device,
a Bluetooth Low Energy communication device, a wired communication device_ In
some
embodiments, the hearing aid device comprises a receiver in the canal (RIC)
hearing aid
device.
[0075] In some embodiments, a hearing aid apparatus is provided, the apparatus
comprising:
a power interrupting circuit; a communication device; a receiver; a body; a
humidity sensor
located in either the receiver or the body of the hearing aid apparatus; a
controller in
communication with the power interrupting circuit, the communication module,
and the
humidity sensor.
[0076] In some embodiments, the communication device transmits data to at
least one of a
mobile device or a server.
[0077] In some embodiments, the mobile device executes an application.
[0078] In some embodiments, the application processes the data to enable
determination of at
least one of an amount of moisture removed from the hearing aid apparatus or
the low-
pressure chamber, an amount of moisture remaining in the hearing aid apparatus
or the low
pressure chamber, an elapsed or remaining time associated with a current or
scheduled drying
operation for the hearing aid apparatus, a status of the apparatus, or a power
source level of
the apparatus.
[0079] In some embodiments, the data comprises moisture-related data and
identification
data associated with at least one of the apparatus or the hearing aid
apparatus.
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[0080] In some embodiments, the server is in communication with a database,
wherein the
data is stored in a record of the database, wherein the record is associated
with the apparatus,
the hearing aid apparatus, or a user or family associated with the hearing aid
apparatus.
[0081] In some embodiments, the hearing aid apparatus comprises a receiver in
the canal
(RIC) hearing aid apparatus.
[0082] In some embodiments, the hearing aid apparatus sends an alert to a
mobile device or a
server when the hearing aid apparatus determines a moisture level in the
hearing aid
apparatus equal to or greater than a threshold level. In some embodiments, any
processes or
operations performed by the hearing aid apparatus may additionally or
alternatively be
performed by the dryer for drying the hearing aid, or vice versa.
[0083] In some embodiments, the hearing aid apparatus periodically sends an
alert to a
mobile device or a server to initiate or schedule a drying operation for the
hearing aid
apparatus.
[0084] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for drying hearing aid
devices, the
apparatus comprising: a low-pressure chamber having an interior configured for
placement of
a hearing aid device in the interior and removal of the hearing aid device
from the interior,
wherein an interior wall of the low-pressure chamber is coated with metalized
coating, and
wherein ultraviolet (UV) light reflected off of the interior wall of the low-
pressure chamber
illuminates the hearing device at least one of before, during, or after a
drying operation for
the hearing aid device; an evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure
chamber; a heater
connected to the low-pressure chamber, wherein the heater, comprising a
conductive surface
in physical contact with the hearing aid device, conductively heats the
hearing aid device; a
component for maintaining the hearing aid device in physical contact with the
conductive
surface during the drying operation for the hearing aid device, wherein the
component pushes
the hearing aid device against the conductive surface when the apparatus is in
a closed
position; and at least one control system connected to the evacuation pump and
to the heater,
the at least one control system controlling removal of moisture from the
hearing aid device by
controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure
chamber, and
controlling operation of the heater to conductively heat the hearing aid
device.
[0085] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a humidity sensor,
wherein the
humidity sensor is thermally isolated from the heater.
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[0086] In some embodiments, the component is further in contact with a lid of
the apparatus.
[0087] In some embodiments, the component is not in physical contact with the
hearing aid
device when the apparatus is in an open position.
[0088] In some embodiments, a hearing aid apparatus is provided comprising: a
power
5 interrupting circuit; a power source; a communication device; a receiver;
a body; a humidity
sensor located in either the receiver or the body of the hearing aid
apparatus, wherein the
humidity sensor senses an amount of moisture in the receiver or the body of
the hearing aid
apparatus; a controller in communication with the power interrupting circuit,
the
communication module, and the humidity sensor, wherein the hearing aid
apparatus transmits
10 an alert to a mobile device or a server when the hearing aid apparatus
determines a moisture
level in the hearing aid apparatus is equal to or greater than a threshold
level, wherein the
alert comprises data comprising moisture-related data and identification data
associated with
the hearing aid apparatus, and wherein an application executable on the mobile
device or the
server processes the data or second data received from the hearing aid
apparatus to enable
indication of at least one of an amount of moisture or humidity present in the
hearing aid
apparatus, a status of the hearing aid apparatus, or a power source level of
the hearing aid
apparatus, and wherein the controller initiates the power interrupting circuit
to at least one of
connect the power source to or disconnect the power source from the receiver
or the body of
the hearing aid apparatus based on the amount of moisture or humidity present
in the receiver
or the body of the hearing aid apparatus.
[0089] In some embodiments, the controller initiates the power interrupting
circuit to connect
the power source to the receiver or the body of the hearing aid apparatus when
the amount of
the moisture in the receiver or the body of the hearing aid apparatus is less
than or equal to a
threshold moisture level.
[0090] In some embodiments, the controller initiates the power interrupting
circuit to
disconnect the power source from the receiver or the body of the hearing aid
apparatus when
the amount of the moisture in the receiver or the body of the hearing aid
apparatus is greater
than or equal to a threshold moisture level.
[0091] In some embodiments, the power interrupting circuit comprises a power
interrupter.
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[0092] In some embodiments, air is moved from within the hearing aid device to
the
humidity sensor.
[0093] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a switch for
switching between
a connected state and a disconnected state.
[0094] In some embodiments, the switch electrically isolates at least one of
the receiver, the
body, the communication device, or the humidity sensor, from the power source.
[0095] In some embodiments, the switch is comprised in or comprises the power
interrupting
circuit.
[0096] In some embodiments, the amount of moisture or humidity comprises a
rate of change
1 0 of the moisture or the humidity.
[0097] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a pump for moving
air from
the receiver or the body to the humidity sensor.
[0098] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a pneumatic
connector.
[0099] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a pump to move gas
from
the pneumatic connector to the humidity sensor.
[00100] In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises: a low-pressure chamber
comprising an interior configured for placement of an electronic device in the
interior and
removal of the electronic device from the interior, an evacuation pump
connected to the low-
pressure chamber; a heater connected to the low-pressure chamber; and a gas
device for
providing gas into the low-pressure chamber; and at least one control system
connected to the
evacuation pump, the heater, and the gas device, wherein the at least one
control system
controls removal of moisture from the electronic device by controlling the
evacuation pump
to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber, controlling operation of
the heater to
provide heat to the electronic device, wherein the at least one control system
is further
configured for determining whether to stop removing the moisture from the
electronic device,
wherein in response to stopping the removing of the moisture from the
electronic device, the
at least one control system activates a portion of the gas device such that
gas is provided into
the low-pressure chamber from the gas device, and wherein, after a period, in
response to
determining a parameter associated with the gas in the low-pressure chamber,
the at least one
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control system deactivates the portion of the gas device such that the gas is
no longer
provided into the low-pressure chamber from the gas device.
[00101]
In some embodiments, the gas
device comprises at least one of a gas generator or
a gas storage.
[00102]
In some embodiments, the gas is either pushed from
the gas device into the low-
pressure chamber or is pulled from the gas device into the low-pressure
chamber.
[00103]
In some embodiments, the pressure
in the low-pressure chamber is lower than a
second pressure in the gas device such that the gas is pulled from the gas
device into the low-
pressure chamber.
[00104] In some embodiments, the parameter is based on or comprises
information sensed
or sampled by a gas sensor associated with the low-pressure chamber.
[00105]
In some embodiments, the
parameter is equal to or greater than a threshold
parameter level.
[00106] In some embodiments, the parameter comprises a ppm level.
[00107]
In some embodiments, the gas device is located at
least one of inside or outside
the low-pressure chamber.
[00108] In some embodiments, the evacuation pump comprises a high-volume low-
vacuum pump and a high-vacuum low-volume pump in series with each other.
[00109] In some embodiments, the high-volume low-vacuum pump and the high-
vacuum
low-volume pump are fabricated as a single four-headed pump.
[00110] In some embodiments, the gas device comprises an ozone generator.
[00111]
In some embodiments, the gas
device comprises at least one enclosure for storing
the gas produced by or in the gas device and at least one power supply.
[00112]
In some embodiments, the gas
device comprises at least one set of gas-producing
electrodes.
[00113]
In some embodiments, the at least
one power supply comprises a high-voltage
power supply and a low-voltage power supply.
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[00114]
In some embodiments, the low-
voltage power supply is used to activate the gas
device such that the gas device enters an on state, and wherein the gas is
produced in or by
the gas device when the high-voltage power supply produces a voltage across
ozone-
producing electrodes comprised in the gas device.
[00115]
In some embodiments, the low-voltage power supply
provides a voltage greater
than or equal to 4 volts and less than or equal to 24 volts, or wherein the
high-voltage power
supply provides a voltage greater than or equal to 3 kV and less than or equal
to 20 kV, or
wherein the gas is equal to greater than 0.1 ppm and less than or equal to 100
ppm.
[00116]
In some embodiments, the
apparatus further comprises an air valve connected to
the low-pressure chamber.
[00117]
In some embodiments, the at least
one control system either initiates opening of
the valve approximately when the gas device is activated, or initiates
activation of the gas
device to provide gas into the low-pressure chamber approximately when the air
valve is
opened.
[00118]
In some embodiments, the at least one control system
either initiates closing of
the air valve approximately when the gas device is deactivated, or initiates
deactivation of the
gas device such that the gas device stops providing gas into the low-pressure
chamber
approximately when the air valve is closed.
[00119]
In some embodiments, an apparatus
is provided comprising: a low-pressure
chamber comprising an interior configured for placement of an electronic
device in the
interior and removal of the electronic device from the interior; an evacuation
pump connected
to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to the low-pressure chamber; a
valve
connected to the low-pressure chamber, wherein the valve has a closed state
and an open
state; a gas generator for generating sanitizing or sterilizing or
disinfecting gas; a gas sensor
for sensing the sanitizing gas; and at least one control system connected to
the evacuation
pump, the heater, the valve, and the gas generator, wherein the at least one
control system is
configured to control: the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-
pressure
chamber, the heater to provide heat to the electronic device, the valve to
change pressure
within the low-pressure chamber, and the gas generator to generate sanitizing
gas for passing
into the low-pressure chamber, wherein the gas sensor senses the sanitizing
gas and sends
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information associated with the sanitizing gas to the at least one control
system or a
computing system.
[00120] In some embodiments, the valve is toggled
between the open state and the closed
state approximately when the at least one control system controls the
evacuation pump to
decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber, thereby causing removal of
moisture
from the electronic device.
[00121] In some embodiments, the decreased pressure within the low-pressure
chamber
causes the sanitizing gas generated by the gas generator to be pulled into the
low-pressure
chamber.
[00122] In some embodiments, the gas generator is activated to generate
the sanitizing gas
approximately when a sensor in the apparatus determines that the electronic
device is
sufficiently dry or approximately when the valve is switched to the open
state.
[00123] In some embodiments, when the information
associated with the sanitizing gas
meets a condition, the at least one control system switches the valve to the
closed state and
IS controls the gas generator to stop generating the sanitizing
gas_
[00124] In some embodiments, the at least one control
system controls the gas generator
to generate the sanitizing gas, such that the sanitizing gas is pulled into
the low-pressure
chamber, approximately when the valve is switched from the closed state to the
open state.
[00125] In some embodiments, the sanitizing gas
comprises ozone.
[00126] In some embodiments, an amount of the sanitizing gas being exhausted
from the
low-pressure chamber is determined by at least one of the gas sensor, the at
least one control
system, or the computing system, and wherein the at least one control system
switches the
valve to the closed state and controls the gas generator to stop generating
the sanitizing gas
approximately when the amount of the sanitizing gas being exhausted from the
low-pressure
meets a condition.
[00127] In some embodiments, the gas sensor is located
inside the low-pressure chamber.
[00128] In some embodiments, the gas sensor is mounted on a circuit board
located in the
apparatus or located in the low-pressure chamber in the apparatus.
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[00129] In some embodiments, the gas generator is
located inside or outside the low-
pressure chamber.
[00130] In some embodiments, drying of the electronic
device is executed substantially
simultaneously with sanitizing the electronic device.
5 [00131] In some embodiments, activating the gas
generator when the valve is opened
causes the sanitizing gas to inundate the low-pressure chamber.
[00132] In some embodiments, the sanitizing gas does
not interfere with determining
when to stop removing moisture from the low-pressure chamber.
[00133] In some embodiments, the gas generator is
activated to generate the sanitizing gas
10 approximately when a sensor in the apparatus determines that the electronic
device is
sufficiently dry or approximately when the valve is switched to the open
state, and wherein
the sanitizing gas that enters the low-pressure chamber is pulled into an
interior portion of the
electronic device.
[00134] In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises: a chamber comprising an
interior
15 configured for placement of an electronic device in the
interior and removal of the electronic
device from the interior; a gas generator for generating sanitizing gas; a gas
sensor for
sensing the sanitizing gas; and at least one control system connected to the
gas generator,
wherein the at least one control system is configured to control activation of
the gas generator
to generate sanitizing gas for passing into the low-pressure chamber, wherein
the gas sensor
senses the sanitizing gas and sends information associated with the sanitizing
gas to the at
least one control system or an external computing system, and wherein the
information is
used by the at least one control system or the external computing system to
determine when
to initiate deactivation of the gas generator such that the gas generator
stops generating the
sanitizing gas.
[00135] In some embodiments, the gas generator is located inside the
chamber.
[00136] In some embodiments, the gas generator is
located outside the chamber.
[00137] In some embodiments, the gas sensor is located
inside the chamber.
[00138] In some embodiments, the sanitizing gas is
either pushed from the gas generator
into the chamber or is pulled from the gas generator into the chamber.
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[00139] In some embodiments, the information is equal
to or greater than a threshold
level.
[00140] In some embodiments, the infommtion comprises a ppm level.
[00141] In some embodiments, the gas generator
comprises an ozone generator.
[00142] In some embodiments, the gas generator comprises at least one
enclosure for
storing the sanitizing gas produced by or in the gas generator and at least
one power supply.
[00143] In some embodiments, the gas generator
comprises at least one set of gas-
producing electrodes.
[00144] In some embodiments, the at least one power
supply comprises a high-voltage
power supply and a low-voltage power supply.
[00145] In some embodiments, the low-voltage power
supply is used to activate the gas
generator such that the gas generator enters an on state, and wherein the
sanitizing gas is
produced in or by the gas generator when the high-voltage power supply
produces a voltage
across ozone-producing electrodes comprised in the gas generator.
[00146] In some embodiments, the low-voltage power supply provides a
voltage greater
than or equal to 4 volts and less than or equal to 24 volts, or wherein the
high-voltage power
supply provides a voltage greater than or equal to 3 kV and less than or equal
to 20 kV, or
wherein the sanitizing gas is equal to greater than 0.1 ppm and less than or
equal to 100 ppm.
[00147] In some embodiments, the apparatus further
comprises a gas bubbler, wherein the
sanitizing gas is bubbled through water either prior to, during, or after the
sanitizing gas is
passed into the chamber. In most embodiments, the gas bubbler is used to
reduce the
dispersed ozone gas effects (e.g., when the ozone gas passes out of the
chamber and/or the
apparatus) on humans.
[00148] In some embodiments, pressurized air output of one or more vacuum
pumps that
are connected to the chamber is used to create the gas bubbler.
[00149] In the conventional art, difficulties currently exist in removing
moisture from
within an electronic device. The devices can be heated to no avail, as the
moisture within the
device frequently cannot exit due to torturous paths for removal. Without
complete
disassembly of the electronic device and using a combination of heat and air
drying, the
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device cannot be dried once it is subjected to water or other wetting agents
and/or fluids.
Moreover, if general heating is employed to dry the device and the heat
exceeds the
recommended maximums of the electronics or other components, damage can occur
and the
device may become inoperable and/or the owner's digitized data can be forever
lost.
[00150] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for drying hearing aid
devices, the
apparatus comprising: a low-pressure chamber having an interior configured for
placement of
a hearing aid device in the interior and removal of the hearing aid device
from the interior,
wherein an interior surface of the low-pressure chamber is coated with
reflective coating, and
wherein light reflected off of the interior surface of the low-pressure
chamber illuminates the
hearing aid device at least one of before, during, or after a drying operation
for the hearing
aid device; an evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater
connected to
the low-pressure chamber, wherein the heater, comprising a conductive surface
in physical
contact with the hearing aid device, conductively heats the hearing aid
device; an object for
maintaining the hearing aid device in physical contact with the conductive
surface during the
drying operation for the hearing aid device; and at least one control system
connected to the
evacuation pump and to the heater, the at least one control system controlling
removal of
moisture from the hearing aid device by controlling the evacuation pump to
decrease pressure
within the low-pressure chamber, and controlling operation of the heater to
conductively heat
the hearing aid device.
[00151] In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a chamber comprising an
interior
configured for placement of an electronic device in the interior and removal
of the electronic
device from the interior; a gas generator for generating sanitizing gas for
passing into the
chamber; a gas sensor for sensing the sanitizing gas; and at least one control
system
connected to the gas generator, wherein the at least one control system is
configured to
control activation of the gas generator to generate the sanitizing gas for
passing into the
chamber, wherein the gas sensor senses the sanitizing gas, wherein information
associated
with the sanitizing gas or the gas generator is transmitted to the at least
one control system or
an external computing system, and wherein the information is used by the at
least one control
system or the external computing system to determine whether to initiate or
continue either
activation of the gas generator such that the gas generator generates the
sanitizing gas, or
deactivation of the gas generator such that the gas generator stops generating
the sanitizing
gas.
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[00152] In some embodiments, the electronic device comprises a hearing aid
device. In
some embodiments, the electronic device comprises a mobile phone. In some
embodiments,
the electronic device comprises a wearable device. In some embodiments, the
electronic
device comprises an audio output device. In some embodiments, the information
associated
with the sanitizing gas comprises an amount or concentration of the sanitizing
gas. In some
embodiments, the information is transmitted from the gas sensor. In some
embodiments, the
information associated with the gas generator comprises a duration associated
with activation
or deactivation of the gas generator. In some embodiments, the information is
transmitted
from the gas generator.
[00153] In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a chamber comprising an
interior
configured for placement of an electronic device in the interior and removal
of the electronic
device from the interior; a gas generator for generating sanitizing gas for
passing into the
chamber; a gas sensor for sensing the sanitizing gas; and at least one control
system
connected to the gas generator, wherein the at least one control system is
configured to
control activation of the gas generator to generate the sanitizing gas for
passing into the
chamber, wherein the gas sensor senses the sanitizing gas and sends
information associated
with the sanitizing gas to the at least one control system or an external
computing system, and
wherein the information is used by the at least one control system or the
external computing
system to determine whether to initiate or continue either activation of the
gas generator such
that the gas generator generates the sanitizing gas, or deactivation of the
gas generator such
that the gas generator stops generating the sanitizing gas.
[00154] It was realized by the inventors that a new type of drying system is
needed to allow
individuals and repair shops to dry electronic devices without disassembly,
while retaining
the digitized data and/or while saving the electronic device altogether from
corrosion.
[00155] Embodiments of the present invention relate to equipment and methods
for
vacuum-pressure drying of materials based on lowering the vapor pressure and
the boiling
points of liquids. More particularly, certain embodiments of the invention
relate to a vacuum
chamber with a heated platen that can be automatically controlled to heat
electronics, such as
an inoperable portable electronic device, via conduction and therefore reduce
the overall
vapor pressure temperature for the purposes of drying the device and rendering
it operable
again.
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[00156] In certain embodiments, a platen that is electrically heated provides
heat
conduction to the portable electronic device that has been subjected to water
or other
unintended wetting agent(s). This heated platen can form the base of a vacuum
chamber from
which air is evacuated. The heated conductive platen can raise the overall
temperature of the
wetted device through physical contact and the material heat transfer
coefficient. The heated
conductive platen, being housed in a convective box, radiates heat and can
heat other portions
of the vacuum chamber (e.g., the outside of the vacuum chamber) for
simultaneous
convection heating. The pressure can be simultaneously decreased in the vacuum
chamber
housing that contains the wetted electronic device. The decreased pressure
provides an
environment whereby liquid vapor pressures can be reduced, allowing lower
boiling points of
any liquid or wetting agent within the chamber. The combination of a heated
path (e.g., a
heated conductive path) to the wet electronic device and decreased pressure
results in a vapor
pressure phase where wetting agents and liquids are "boiled off' in the form
of a gas at lower
temperatures preventing damage to the electronics while drying. This drying
occurs because
the vaporization of the liquids into gasses can more easily escape through the
tight enclosures
of the electronic device and through the torturous paths established in the
design and
manufacture of the device. The water or wetting agent is essentially boiled
off over time into
a gas and evacuated from within the chamber housing.
[00157] Other embodiments include a vacuum chamber with a heated platen under
automatic control. The vacuum chamber is controlled by microprocessor using
various heat
and vacuum pressure profiles for various electronic devices. This example
heated vacuum
system provides a local condition to the electronic device that has been
wetted and reduces
the overall vapor pressure point, allowing the wetting agents to boil off at a
much lower
temperature. This allows the complete drying of the electronic device without
damage to the
device itself from excessive (high) temperatures.
[00158] In some embodiments, the recovery of lost heat due to the latent heat
of
evaporation (see, e.g., FIG. 6C) can be enhanced by injecting heated air
through an orifice
(such as a headphone speaker jack) in the electronic device being dried.
Injected air can be
generated through the discharge side of the vacuum pump (which may be an oil-
less (oil free)
type of pump) and optionally heated with an air heater. In other embodiments,
the air heater
may not be used and the natural heating of compressed air within vacuum pump
(e.g., due to
the work being performed on the air to compress it and the ideal gas law) is
used to heat the
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electronic device being dried. The temperature of the air discharged from the
vacuum pump
may he measured using an air temperature sensor, and some embodiment control
the
temperature of the air being introduced into the electronic device. In some
embodiments, the
vacuum pump is modulated (such as by pulse-width modulation (MIMI)) when
introducing
5 air from the discharge of the vacuum pump and into the electronic device to
control the
temperature of the air entering electronic device 280. In other embodiments,
miniaturized
vacuum pumps can be utilized in combination with one another to reduce the
pressure. A
high volume pump can be pneumatically connected in series with a high vacuum
pump for
purposes of achieving a maximum vacuum pressure in a minimum amount of time.
10 [00159] Some embodiments introduce air (which may be heated)
into the electronic device
(such as by using a nozzle) and do not utilize a heated conduction platen in
contact with the
electronic device to transfer heat to the electronic device. Other embodiment
utilize both
introduction of air and a heated conduction platen to introduce heat into
electronic device. In
embodiments utilizing both air introduction/injection and a heated conduction
platen, the
15 combination of these two methods of transferring heat to the
electronic device can increase
the speed at which heat is introduced to the electronic device (including
during periods when
heat is being added to the electronic device to compensate for the cooling
effect that occurs
due to the latent heat of evaporation when the pressure in vacuum chamber 3 is
decreased and
some of the liquid is vaporized) providing for quicker drying cycles.
20 [00160] In some embodiments, a vacuum chamber can be a rigid
form with an integrated
platen heater inside the rigid walled vacuum chamber. The platen heater can be
thermofoil
traces or surface mount resistors, with a relative humidity sensor and vacuum
pressure sensor
integrated in their entirety onto one printed circuit board. In other
embodiments, the vacuum
chamber can be collapsible, e.g. a vacuum pouch that can rest on a rigid
platen heater or,
wrapped in a flexible platen heater. In other embodiments, the platen heater
can be
substituted with commercially available hand warmers. In other embodiments,
the entire
electronic controls, platen heater sub-assembly, and vacuum pumps can be
integrated onto
one single printed circuit board. In other embodiments, a low-modulus silicone
polymer
which is thermally conductive can transfer heat from an uneven surface mount
resistor platen
to an uneven surface of an electronic device.
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[00161] In some embodiments, a desiccator is used to remove moisture from the
air being
evacuated from the vacuum chamber, and the desiccator may be regenerated using
the
compressed air discharged from the vacuum pump. In one embodiment, injected
air is forced
into the vacuum chamber's evacuation plenum with the vacuum chamber being
closed and
with the electronic device being removed from the vacuum chamber. Optional
desiccator
heaters (which may be thermofoil type heaters) may be used to heat the
desiccator, and these
heaters may be powered by a power supply and controlled by a desiccator
temperature
feedback signal to achieve a particular temperature for regeneration of the
desiccant in the
desiccator. The air flowing through the desiccator can assist with rapid
moisture evaporation
and regeneration of the desiccator. In some embodiments, moist air from the
desiccator is
discharged to the atmosphere through a desiccator dump valve.
[00162] Some embodiments are specific to aid in the reduction of cost, weight,
noise, and
assembly time by the use of thin-walled plastic injected molded parts,
collapsible pouches,
and fully integrated electronics on one single printed circuit board.
[00163] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for drying an electronic
device in a
computing network environment. The apparatus comprises: an electronic device
dryer
system for removing moisture from an electronic device affected by moisture
intrusion; a
WiFi connection device integrated with the electronic device dryer system,
wherein the
apparatus sends first data to, using the WiFi connection device, or receives
second data from,
using the WiFi connection device, a computing device, wherein the computing
device
executes an electronic device drying-related application, wherein the
computing device is
located near the apparatus; a cellular connection device integrated with the
electronic device
dryer system, wherein the apparatus sends third data to, using the cellular
connection device,
or receives fourth data from, using the cellular connection device, a database
system
associated with a database, wherein the database system is located remotely
from the
apparatus and the computing device; a host controller integrated with the
electronic device
dryer system, wherein the host controller communicates with the WiFi
connection device and
the cellular connection device via a universal asynchronous receive transmit
(UART) bus;
and a location-determining system integrated with the electronic device dryer
system,
wherein the location-determining system enables determination of network
location
information or physical location information associated with at least one of
the apparatus or
the electronic device.
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[00164] In some embodiments, the WiFi connection device operates in Access
Point mode.
In some embodiments, the WiFi connection device operates in WiFi Direct mode.
In some
embodiments, the computing device comprises a mobile computing device. In some
embodiments, the electronic device drying-related application comprises an
electronic device
drying registration application. In some embodiments, the electronic device
drying-related
application comprises an electronic device drying progress application.
In some
embodiments, the cellular connection device operates in at least one of Long
Term Evolution
(LTE) CAT1, LTE CAT Ml, or 2nd Generation (26) cellular communication mode. In
some
embodiments, the database system comprises an enterprise system.
[00165]
In some embodiments, the electronic device dryer
system comprises a control
system for both controlling an amount of heat added to the electronic device
and controlling a
decrease of pressure in a chamber comprising the electronic device. In some
embodiments,
the host controller is separate from the control system. In some embodiments,
the host
controller is part of the control system. In some embodiments, the UART bus is
configured
in serial peripheral interface (SPI) mode. In some embodiments, the UART bus
is configured
in inter-integrated communication (I2C) mode. In some embodiments, the
apparatus uses
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (I-ITTP) commands to communicate with the database
system.
In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a telecommunication
device. In some
embodiments, the telecommunication device comprises or is part of at least one
of a cellular
telecommunication system or a wireless network telecommunication system. In
some
embodiments, the telecommunication device is connected to a back-up power
source such
that the telecommunication device is operational when the apparatus is not
connected to an
external power source.
[00166] In some embodiments, the location-determining system comprises a
Global
Positioning System (GPS)-based system_ In some embodiments, the location-
determining
system is connected to a back-up power source such that the location-
determining system is
operational when the apparatus is not connected to an external power source.
In some
embodiments, the location-determining system enables determination of whether
software or
firmware installed or associated with the apparatus corresponds with the
network location
information or the physical location information associated with the at least
one of the
apparatus or the electronic device. In some embodiments, the location-
determining system
enables determination of the network location information or the physical
location
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information associated with the at least one of the apparatus or the
electronic device upon an
initial power-up or a reboot of the apparatus.
[00167]
In some embodiments, at least one
of the first data, the second data, the third
data, or the fourth data comprises user data associated with a user of the
electronic device or
the apparatus. In some embodiments, at least one of the first data, the second
data, the third
data, or the fourth data comprises electronic device data associated with the
electronic device.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first data, the second data, the
third data, or the
fourth data comprises apparatus data associated with the apparatus. In some
embodiments,
the electronic device comprises a mobile telephone. In some embodiments, the
electronic
device comprises a mobile device.
[00168] Certain features of embodiments of the present invention address these
and other
needs and provide other important advantages.
[00169] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of the concepts that
are
described in further detail in the detailed description and drawings contained
herein. This
summary is not intended to identify any primary or essential features of the
claimed subject
matter. Some or all of the described features may be present in the
corresponding
independent or dependent claims, but should not be construed to be a
limitation unless
expressly recited in a particular claim. Each embodiment described herein is
not necessarily
intended to address every object described herein, and each embodiment does
not necessarily
include each feature described. Other forms, embodiments, objects, advantages,
benefits,
features, and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to one of
skill in the art
from the detailed description and drawings contained herein. Moreover, the
various
apparatuses and methods described in this summary section, as well as
elsewhere in this
application, can be expressed as a large number of different combinations and
subcombinations_ All such useful, novel, and inventive combinations and
subcombinations
are contemplated herein, it being recognized that the explicit expression of
each of these
combinations is unnecessary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00170] Some of the figures shown herein may include dimensions or may have
been
created from scaled drawings. However, such dimensions, or the relative
scaling within a
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figure, are by way of example only, and not to be construed as limiting the
scope of this
invention.
[00171] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an electronic device drying apparatus
according to
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00172] FIG. 2 is an isometric bottom view of the electrically heated
conduction platen
element of the electronic device drying apparatus depicted in FIG. 1_
[00173] FIG. 3 is an isometric cut-away view of the electrically heated
conduction platen
element and vacuum chamber depicted in FIG. I.
[00174] FIG. 4A is an isometric view of the electrically heated conduction
platen element
and vacuum chamber of FIG. 1 in the open position.
[00175] FIG. 4B is an isometric view of the electrically heated conduction
platen element
and vacuum chamber of FIG. 1 in the closed position.
[00176] FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting an electronics control system and
electronic
device drying apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00177] FIG. 6A is a graphical representation of the vapor pressure curve of
water at
various vacuum pressures and temperatures and a target heating and evacuation
drying zone
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00178] FIG. 6B is a graphical representation of the vapor pressure curve of
water at a
particular vacuum pressure depicting the loss of heat as a result of the
latent heat of
evaporation.
[00179] FIG. 6C is a graphical representation of the vapor pressure curve of
water at a
particular vacuum pressure depicting the gain of heat as a result of the
conduction platen
heating.
[00180] FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of the heated platen temperature
and associated
electronic device temperature without vacuum applied according to one
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[00181] FIG. 8A is a graph depicting the heated platen temperature and
associated
electronic device temperature response with vacuum cyclically applied and then
vented to
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atmospheric pressure for a period of time according to another embodiment of
the present
disclosure.
[00182] FIG. 8B is a graph depicting the vacuum cyclically applied and then
vented to
atmospheric pressure for a period of time according to another embodiment of
the present
5 disclosure.
[00183] FIG. 8C is a graph depicting the vacuum cyclically applied and then
vented to
atmospheric pressure with the electronic device temperature response
superimposed for a
period of lime according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00184] FIG. 9 is a graph depicting the relative humidity sensor output that
occurs during
10 the successive heating and vacuum cycles of the electronic device drying
apparatus according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[00185] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an electronic device drying apparatus
and
germicidal member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00186] FIG. 11 is a block diagram depicting an electronics control system,
electronic
15 device drying apparatus, and germicidal member according to a further
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[00187] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a regenerative desiccator depicted with
3-way
solenoid valves in the open position to, for example, provide vacuum to an
evacuation
chamber in the moisture scavenging state according to another embodiment.
20 [00188] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the regenerative desiccator of
FIG. 12 depicted with
3-way solenoid valves in the closed position to, for example, provide an air
purge to the
desiccators.
[00189] FIG. 14 is an isometric, partially transparent view of a nozzle
adapted to inject
heated air into an electronic device according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
25 [00190] FIG. 15 is an isometric, partially transparent view of the
nozzle of FIG. 14 coupled
to the platen of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00191] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the nozzle depicted in FIG. 15
connected to an
electronic device with air flowing into and dispersing out of the electronic
device.
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[00192] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a system with a nozzle and vacuum
chamber (the
vacuum chamber being in the open position) connected to an electronic device
according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[00193] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the system of HG. 17 with the electronic
device
positioned within a closed vacuum chamber with no air flowing through the
nozzle.
[00194] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the system of FIG. 17 with the
electronic device
positioned within a closed vacuum chamber with air flowing through the nozzle
and the
electronic device.
[00195] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the system of FIG. 17 with no electronic
device and
operating in a system maintenance mode to regenerate the desiccator according
to one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00196] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of the system of FIG. 17 with a high-volume
pump and
high-vacuum pump connected pneumatically in series.
[00197] HG. 22A a graphical representation of a vacuum response curve of a
high vacuum
pump according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[00198] FIG. 22B is a graphical representation of a vacuum response curve of a
high
volume pump according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[00199] FIG. 22C is a graphical representation of a resulting vacuum response
curve with
the high vacuum pump of FIG. 22A pneumatically connected in series with the
high volume
pump of FIG. 22B.
[00200] FIG. 23 is an isometric depiction of an alternative vacuum chamber
which has
been structurally fortified with ribs to minimize deflection during decreasing
pressures.
[00201] FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a collapsible vacuum pouch depicted
with
integrated vacuum attachment ports.
[00202] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of a platen heater fabricated with a
plurality of surface
mount resistors attached to a printed circuit board.
[00203] HG. 26A is an isometric view of a two types of flexible platen heaters
fabricated
from a plurality of surface mount resistors or a thin resistance heater wire.
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[00204] FIG. 26B is an isometric view of a collapsible vacuum pouch depicted
in FIG. 24
that has integrated thin resistance heater wire attached to the surfaces of
the collapsible
vacuum pouch.
[00205] FIG. 27 is an isometric and side view of one of the preferred
embodiments of the
surface mount resistor platen heater with a silicone thermal pad and portable
electronic
device resting on silicone thermal pad.
[00206] FIG. 28 is an isometric view and side view of one embodiment of a low
voltage in-
line heater shown with surface mount resistors and a cover to provide a
torturous path for
convective heat transfer.
[00207] FIG. 29 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an electronic drying
apparatus
with a non-collapsible (rigid) vacuum chamber.
[00208] FIG. 30 is a block diagram of one an embodiment of an electronic
drying apparatus
with a collapsible vacuum pouch.
[00209] FIG. 31 is an isometric view of a rigid vacuum chambered electronic
drying
apparatus with a wireless controller and process data collection screen.
[00210] FIG. 32 is a diagram of a wireless controller and process data
collection screen
together with a fully integrated enterprise server and vacuum pouch electronic
drying
apparatus.
[00211] FIG. 33 is a screen shot of the software application home screen
depicting the radio
buttons used to select a customer purchasing a device registration application
(membership).
[00212] FIG. 34 is a screen shot of the drop down menu for adding a device
registration.
[00213] FIG. 35 is a screen shot of the resulting handshaking from the server
noting the
device registration record has been added to the database.
[00214] FIG. 36 is a screen shot of the means to access the device
registration database and
associated options.
[00215] FIG. 37 is a screen shot of the drop down menu associated with the
device
registration service that allows a search on various fields for the customer
device registration
record.
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[00216] FIG. 38 is a screen shot of the record locator screen depicting the
device
registration identifier (membership number) together with name, phone number,
and details
link.
[00217] FIG. 39 is a screen shot of the application depicting the device
registration
validation field which requires the date of birth.
[00218] FIG. 40 is a screen shot of the application depicting various options
for the device
registration record.
[00219] FIG. 41 is a screen shot of the application depicting the machine
control for drying
an electronic device and requesting three basic questions to be answered.
[00220] FIG. 42 is a screen shot of the application depicting the wireless
handshaking
between the dryer and application confirming the electronic device has been
placed in the
dryer.
[00221] FIG. 43 is a screen shot of the application depicting the time elapsed
and amount
of water removed obtained real time from the dryer while the electronic device
is being dried.
[00222] FIG. 44 is a screen shot of the application depicting the post drying
menu
prompting the user (store associate) to select the condition of the electronic
device post
drying.
[00223] FIGS. 45A, 45B, and 45C are screen shots of the application for post
drying radio
buttons based on either non-device registrant (non-member) or device
registrant (member).
[00224] FIG. 46 is a screen shot of the application depicting a non-device
registrant (non-
member) that allows a non-registrant's electronic device to be dried.
[00225] FIG. 47 is a screen shot of the application depicting the non-
registrant's check-in
wherein the application prompts the user for email, name, and phone number.
[00226] FIG. 48 is a screen shot of the application depicting the check-in
process whereby
the application prompts the user for a diagnostic fee invoice number which is
then used for
the Point of Sale (POS).
[00227] FIG. 49 is a system architectural diagram which depicts a machine-to-
machine
intemet of things (lST) control scheme which allows an open-system user
interface for
vacuum drying purposes.
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[00228] FIG. 50 is an isometric magnified view of the electrically heated
conduction platen
of FIG. 2
[00229] FIG. 51 is a table depicting the electrical conductor trace lengths
and widths that
provide conduction heating of the electrically heated conduction platen of
FIG. 2.
[00230] FIG. 52 is a system architectural diagram which depicts a machine-to-
machine
intemet of things (IoT) control scheme with GPS location services and audio
system
components to provide a service desk remote audio communication to the vacuum
dryer.
[00231] FIG. 53 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an electronic drying
apparatus
with a reduced volume rectangular non-collapsible (rigid) vacuum chamber.
[00232] FIG. 54 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of an electronic
drying
apparatus with a reduced volume round non-collapsible (rigid) vacuum chamber.
[00233] FIG. 55 is a is an isometric view of the electrically heated
conduction platen
element of the electronic device drying apparatus sized to fit rectangular
vacuum chamber
and with integrated charging features.
[00234] FIG. 56 is an isometric view of the electrically heated conduction
platen element of
the electronic device drying apparatus sized to fit round vacuum chamber and
with integrated
charging features.
[00235] FIG. 57 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an electronic drying
apparatus
depicted with an integrated vacuum wand and charging features.
[00236] FIG. 58 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of an electronic
drying
apparatus depicted with an integrated round vacuum chamber and charging
features.
[00237] FIG. 59 is a graphical representation of one embodiment of a relative
humidity
quantization technique.
[00238] FIG. 60 is a graphical representation of one embodiment of an
integration of
multiple relative humidity quantization packets over time.
[00239] FIG. 61 is a top view of a typical receiver in the canal (RIC) hearing
aid with one
embodiment of the electronic power interruption arrangement embedded into said
hearing
aid.
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[00240] FIG. 62 is a diagram depicted MC hearing aid depicted in FIG. 61
together with a
smart phone application which interfaces with said hearing aid and provides
status of
electronic power interruption sensors.
[00241] FIG. 63 depicts application in FIG. 62 together with electronic drying
apparatus
5 drying said hearing aid and recording results in enterprise database.
[00242] FIG. 64 is a diagram depicting a gas generator together with a vacuum
chamber
and gas detector.
[00243] FIG. 65 is a graphical representation of the phases of vacuum drying,
gas
generation and sampling, and sanitization of electronic devices.
10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00244] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of
the invention,
reference is made to selected embodiments illustrated in the drawings and
specific language
will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no
limitation of the
scope of the invention is thereby intended; any alterations and further
modifications of the
15 described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of
the principles of the
invention as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to
one skilled in the
art to which the invention relates. At least one embodiment of the invention
is shown in great
detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that
some features or
some combinations of features may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
20 [00245] Any reference to "invention" within this document is a reference
to an embodiment
of a family of inventions, with no single embodiment including features that
are necessarily
included in all embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, although
there may be
references to "advantages" provided by some embodiments of the present
invention, other
embodiments may not include those same advantages, or may include different
advantages.
25 Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to
any of the claims.
[00246] Specific quantities (spatial dimensions, temperatures, pressures,
times, force,
resistance, current, voltage, concentrations, wavelengths, frequencies, heat
transfer
coefficients, dimensionless parameters, etc.) may be used explicitly or
implicitly herein, such
specific quantities are presented as examples only and are approximate values
unless
30 otherwise indicated. Discussions pertaining to specific compositions of
matter, if present, are
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presented as examples only and do not limit the applicability of other
compositions of matter,
especially other compositions of matter with similar properties, unless
otherwise indicated.
[00247] Embodiments of the present disclosure include devices and equipment
generally
used for drying materials using reduced pressure. Embodiments include methods
and
apparatuses for drying (e.g., automatic drying) of electronic devices (e.g.,
portable electronic
devices such as cell phones, digital music players, watches, pagers, cameras,
tablet computers
and the like) after these units have been subjected to water, high humidity
conditions, or other
unintended deleterious wetting agents that renders such devices inoperable. At
least one
embodiment provides a heated platen (e.g., a user controlled heated platen)
under vacuum
that heats the portable electronic device and/or lowers the pressure to
evaporate unwanted
liquids at lower than atmospheric boiling points. The heat may also be applied
through other
means, such as heating other components of the vacuum chamber or the gas
(e.g., air) within
the vacuum chamber. The heat and vacuum may be applied sequentially,
simultaneously, or
in various combinations of sequential and simultaneous operation.
[00248] In still further embodiments, air (such as ambient air or some other
gas which may
be beneficial in drying the electronic device) may be introduced into the
electronic device
using a nozzle connected to the electronic device, such as by inserting the
nozzle into the
headphone or microphone jack. The nozzle may be adapted to securely fit into
any standard
2.5 mm or 3.5 mm jack. Warm air may be introduced into the electronic device
through the
nozzle by, for example, drawing the warm air (which may be at or near the
ambient pressure
outside the vacuum chamber) into the electronic device using the vacuum of the
chamber
and/or by pressurizing the warm air above ambient conditions and forcing the
warm air into
the electronic device (which may be accomplished while the vacuum chamber is
at and/or
below ambient pressure). In some embodiments where a headphone jack is not
present in
such devices as hearing aids, smart watches, various phones with only power
jacks, the
nozzle may not be connected and therefore used to warm the inside of the
vacuum chamber,
or, collapsible vacuum pouch. In one embodiment, a nozzle is purposely not
attached to allow
heated, free-flowing air into a vacuum chamber to convectively heat the
electronic device and
the inside of the chamber or vacuum pouch. This heated air increases the dew
point inside the
vacuum chamber or pouch and any moisture that has been vaporized from within
the
electronic device and may condense onto cooler surfaces (e.g. non heated
platen surfaces)
will have less propensity to do so. In preferred embodiments, warm
regenerative air is
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constantly used to enhance heat transfer into the electronic device as well as
internal chamber
surfaces in order to expedite vaporization of trapped moisture inside the
electronic device.
[00249] The evaporation point of the liquid is lowered based upon the
materials of
construction of the device being heated such that temperature excursions do
not exceed the
melting points and/or glass transition temperatures of such materials. Thus,
the device being
subjected to the drying cycle under vacuum pressure can be safely dried and
rendered
functional again without damage to the device itself.
[00250] Referring first to FIG. 1, an isometric diagram of a drying apparatus,
e.g., an
automatic portable electronic device drying apparatus 1, according to one
embodiment of the
present invention is shown. Electronic device drying apparatus 1 includes
enclosure 2,
vacuum chamber 3, a heater (e.g., electrically heated conduction platen 16),
an optional
convection chamber 4, and an optional modem Internet interface connector 12.
An optional
user interface for the electronic device drying apparatus 1 may be used, and
may optionally
be comprised of one or more of the following: input device selection switches
11, device
selection indicator lights 15, timer display 14, power switch 19, start-stop
switch 13, and
audible indicator 20. Vacuum chamber 3 may be fabricated of, for example, a
polymer
plastic, glass, or metal, with suitable thickness and geometry to withstand a
vacuum
(decreased pressure). Vacuum chamber 3 can be fabricated out of any material
that is at least
structurally rigid enough to withstand vacuum pressures and to maintain vacuum
pressures
within the structure, e.g., is sufficiently nonporous. Referring to FIG. 23, a
vacuum chamber
3 is depicted as a rectangular vacuum chamber 480 with structural supporting
ribs 485.
Rectangular vacuum chamber 480 and structural supporting ribs 485 can be made
of metal or
preferably injection molded plastic, using thin walled properties to reduce
weight and adding
fiberglass (e.g. glass-filled) to maximize strength and rigidity.
[00251] In other embodiments as depicted in FIG. 24, a collapsible vacuum
chamber (e.g.
vacuum pouch) can be used to decrease the pressure on portable electronics.
Collapsible
vacuum chamber 490 is made from suitable thin-walled plastic such as
polyethylene
terephthalate (PETG) that supports vacuum pressures. Collapsible vacuum
chamber 490 has
flanged evacuation ports 494 and 495 which are fabricated from plastic and are
attached to
one side of collapsible vacuum chamber 490. Flanged evacuation ports 494 and
495 can be
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attached using silicone, glue, or in a preferred embodiment, ultrasonically
welded from the
flange to the collapsible vacuum chamber 490.
[00252] Heated conduction platen 16 may be electrically powered through heater
power
wires 10 and may be fabricated from thermally conductive material and made of
suitable
thickness to support high vacuum. In some embodiments, the electrically heated
conduction
platen 16 is made of aluminum, although other embodiments include platens made
from
copper, steel, iron or other thermally conductive material. Heated conduction
platen 16 can be
mounted inside of convection chamber 4 and mated with vacuum chamber 3 using,
for
example, an optional sealing 0-ring 5. Air within vacuum chamber 3 is
evacuated via
evacuation port 7 and vented via venting port 6. Convection chamber 4, if
utilized, can
include fan 9 to circulate warm air within the convection chamber 4.
[00253] FIG. 2 depicts heated conduction platen 16 with a heat generator
(e.g., a thermofoil
resistance heater 21). Heated conduction platen 16 may also include
temperature feedback
sensor 8, thermofoil resistance heater power connections 10, evacuation port
7, and/or
venting port 6. In one embodiment of the invention, heated conduction platen
16 is a stand-
alone separate heating platen sitting on a vacuum chamber mounting plate.
[00254] In another embodiment, HG. 25 depicts a heated platen 16 comprised of
a printed
circuit board substrate 500 and surface mount technology (SMT) resistors 504.
SMT resistors
504 are of suitable resistances that produce heating and thus a heated platen
16.
[00255] As best shown in FIG. 26A, other embodiments of suitable platen heater
16 are a
flexible printed circuit board 500 with SMT resistors 504 mounted onto surface
and flexible
thin-layered thermally conductive silicone 502 with electrical filaments 512
embedded into
the thermally conductive silicone 502.
[00256] In some embodiments as shown in HG. 26B, a collapsible vacuum chamber
490
has flexible electrical filaments 512 attached to collapsible vacuum chamber
surface thus
producing a vacuum-sealed conformable platen heater.
[00257] FIG. 3 depicts the heated conduction platen 16 and vacuum chamber 3 in
a cut-
away isometric view. Vacuum chamber 3 is mated to heated conduction platen 16
using
sealing 0-ring 5. Platen 16 provides heat energy both internally and
externally to the vacuum
chamber 3 via thermofoil resistance heater 21 attached to the bottom of platen
16, and is
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temperature-controlled by temperature feedback sensor 8. Temperature feedback
sensor 8
could be a thermistor, a semiconductor temperature sensor, or any one of a
number of
thermocouple types. Evacuation port 7 and venting port 6 are depicted as
through-holes to
facilitate pneumatic connection to interior of vacuum chamber 3 using the
bottom side of the
heated conduction platen 16.
[00258] FIGS. 4A and 4B depicts the vacuum chamber 3 in the open state 17 and
closed
state 18. Sealing 0-ring 5 mates with vacuum chamber sealing surface 31 when
going from
open state 17 to closed state 18. During closed state 18, evacuation port 7
and atmospheric
vent port 6 are sealed inside vacuum chamber 3 by virtue of being disposed
within the
diameter of sealing 0-ring 5.
[00259] Referring to FIG. 5, electronic device drying apparatus enclosure 1 is
shown in an
isometric view with control schematic in block diagram form according to one
embodiment
of the present invention. A controller, for example microprocessor 44, is
electrically
connected to user interface 47, memory 45, modem internet interface circuit
46, and
evacuation pump relay 42 via user interface buss 48, memory interface buss 49,
modem
internet interface buss 51 and evacuation pump relay control line 66,
respectively. Power
supply 53 powers the entire system through, for example, positive power line
58 and negative
ground line 55. 'Thermofoil resistance heater power lines 10 are directly
connected to positive
power line 58 and negative power line 55 through heater platen control
transistor 54.
Evacuation manifold 62 is connected to evacuation pump 41, which is
electrically controlled
via evacuation pump control line 68. Vacuum pressure sensor 43 is connected to
evacuation
manifold 62 and produces vacuum pressure level signals via vacuum pressure
sensor signal
wire 52. A relative humidity sensor 61 may be pneumatically connected to
evacuation
manifold 62 and can produce analog voltage signals that relate to the
evacuation manifold 62
relative humidity. Analog voltage signals are sensed by relative humidity
signal wire 61 to
control microprocessor 44. Convection chamber vent solenoid 57 is connected to
convection
chamber vent manifold 64 and is controlled by control microprocessor 44 via
convection
chamber solenoid vent valve control signal 56. Atmospheric vent solenoid valve
67 is
connected to atmospheric vent manifold 75 and is controlled by control
microprocessor 44
via atmospheric solenoid vent valve control signal wire 69.
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[00260] Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, a graphical representation of water vapor
pressure
curve 74 is derived from known vapor pressure conversions that relate
temperature of the
water 72 and vacuum pressure of the air surrounding the water 70. Using the
example
depicted in FIG. 6B, water maintained at temperature 81 (approximately 104
deg. F) will
5 begin to boil at vacuum pressure 83 (approximately -27 in Hg). Using
vapor pressure curve
74, a target or preferred heating and evacuation drying zone 76 for the
automatic drying of
portable electronic devices was found. The upper temperature limit of the
evacuation drying
zone 76 may be governed by the temperature at which materials used to
construct the
electronic device being dried will begin to deform or melt. The lower
temperature limit of the
10 evacuation drying zone 76 may be governed by the ability of evacuation
pump 41 to generate
the low pressure or the amount of time required for evacuation pump 41 to
achieve the low
pressure.
[00261] Referring to FIG. 7, a graphical representation of heated conduction
platen heating
curve 80 that is being heated to a temperature value on temperature axis 85
over some time
15 depicted on time axis 87 according to one embodiment of the present
invention. A portable
electronic device resting on heated conduction platen 16 is subjected to
heated conduction
platen healing curve 80 and generally heats according to device heating curve
82. Device
heating curve 82 is depicted lagging in time due to variation in thermal
conduction
coefficients.
20 [00262] Now referring to FIG. 8, a graphical representation of heated
conduction platen
heating curve 80 is depicted with temperature axis 85 over some time on time
axis 87
together with vacuum pressure axis 92 according to another embodiment of the
present
invention. As a result of changing vacuum pressure curve 98 and by virtue of
the latent heat
escaping due to vapor evaporation of wetted portable electronic device, device
heating curve
25 96 is produced.
[00263] When the moisture within the device evaporates, the device would
typically cool
due to the latent heat of evaporation. The addition of heat to the process
minimizes the
cooling of the device and helps to enhance the rate at which the moisture can
be removed
from the device.
30 [00264] Referring to FIG. 9, a graphical representation of relative
humidity sensor 61 is
depicted with relative humidity axis 102 plotted against cycle time axis 87
according to an
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embodiment of the present invention. As moisture vaporizes in portable
electronic device, the
vaporization produces a relative humidity curve 100 that becomes progressively
smaller and
follows reduction line 106. Relative humidity peaks 104 get successively
lowered and
eventually minimize to room humidity 108.
[00265] Referring to FIG. 27, in one preferred embodiment, a printed circuit
board
substrate 500 with SMT resistors 504 makes up heated platen 16_ Printed
circuit board
substrate 500 is used as an integration mechanism with electronic relative
humidity sensor 61
and pressure sensor 43 being electrically and mechanically mounted onto
printed circuit
board substrate 500. Silicone thermal conduction layer 520 is shown adhered
over printed
circuit substrate 500 and SMT resistors 504_ Silicone thermal conduction layer
520 being
conformable to irregular surfaces like SMT resistors 504 can also accommodate
irregular
surfaces such as camera lenses 282 and the like as part of electronic device
280.
[00266] In other embodiments shown in FIG. 29, device dryer 800 is comprised
of
rectangular vacuum chamber 480, clear acrylic chamber lid 520, printed circuit
board
substrate 500 (FIG. 27) in-line heater 600 (FIG. 28), fresh air valve 307,
electronic control
board 610, and wireless electronic module 614 electrically connected to
electronic control
board 610 through cable 615. Electronic control board 610 is interfaced to
printed circuit
board substrate 500 using cable 617 and vacuum chamber pass-through 612.
Miniature high
vacuum pump 410 and miniature high volume pump 400 are connected pneumatically
using
pneumatic plenum 405 and to rectangular vacuum chamber 480 through pneumatic
plenum 7.
Fresh air valve 307 is connected to rectangular vacuum chamber 480 through
pneumatic
plenum 6.
[00267] Referring to FIG. 30, device dryer 801 is comprised of collapsible
vacuum pouch
490 is depicted resting on printed circuit board substrate 500 which has SMT
resistors 504
providing conductive heat. Electronic device 280 is sealed inside collapsible
vacuum pouch
490 with evacuation port 494 pneumatically connected to vacuum plenum 7 and
fresh air port
495 pneumatically connected to fresh air valve 307. Electronic control board
610 surface has
in-line heater 600, relative humidity sensor 61, and pressure sensor 43. Air-
tight enclosure
630 is mounted on electronic control board 610 and is used to seal relative
humidity sensor
61 and pressure sensor 43 inside vacuum plenum 7 pathway_ Miniature high
vacuum pump
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410 and miniature high volume pump 400 are pneumatically connected through air
tight
enclosure 630 and within structural enclosure 602.
[00268] In one embodiment, the electronic device drying apparatus 1 operates
as follows:
[00269] A portable electronic device that has become wet or been exposed to
humidity is
inserted into convection chamber 4 by opening door 22 and placing the device
under vacuum
chamber 3 that has been lifted off heated conduction platen 16. The lifting of
vacuum
chamber 3 can be done manually or with a lifting mechanism. Door 22 can be
hinged on top
of convection chamber 4. (Either method does not take away from or enhance the
spirit or
intent of the invention).
[00270] To initiate a drying cycle operation, the user then pushes or
activates on-off switch
19 in order to power on drying apparatus 1. Once the apparatus 1 is powered
up, the user
selects, via input device selection switches (see FIGS. 1 and 5) the
appropriate electronic
device for drying. Control microprocessor 44 senses the user's switch
selection via user
interface buss 48 by polling the input device selection switches 11, and
subsequently
acknowledges the user's selection by lighting the appropriate input device
selection indicator
light 15 (FIG. 1) for the appropriate selection. Microprocessor 44 houses
software in non-
volatile memory 45 and communicates with the software code over memory
interface bus 49.
[00271] In one embodiment of the invention, memory 45 contains algorithms for
the
various portable electronic devices that can be dried by this invention - each
algorithm
containing specific heated conduction platen 16 temperature settings - and the
correct
algorithm is automatically selected for the type of electronic device inserted
into apparatus 1.
[00272] In one embodiment, microprocessor 44 activates or powers on heated
conduction
platen 16 via control transistor 54 that switches power supply 53 positive and
negative supply
lines 58 and 55, respectively, into heater power wires 10. This switching of
power causes
thermofoil resistance heater 21 to generate heat via resistance heating.
Thermofoil resistance
heater 21, which is in thermal contact with (and can be laminated to) heated
conduction
platen 16, begins to heat to the target temperature and through, for example,
physical contact
with the subject device, allows heat to flow into and within the device via
thermal
conduction. In certain embodiments, the target temperature for the heated
platen is at least 70
deg. F and at most 150 deg. F. In further embodiments, the target temperature
for the heated
platen is at least approximately 110 deg. F and at most approximately 120 deg.
F.
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[00273] In alternate embodiments the heating of heated conduction platen 16 is
accomplished in alternate ways, such as by hot water heating, infrared lamps,
incandescent
lamps, gas flame or combustible fuel, Fresnel lenses, steam, human body heat,
hair dryers,
fissile materials, or heat produced from friction. Any of these heating
methods would produce
the necessary heat for heated conduction platen 16 to transfer heat to a
portable electronic
device.
[00274] Microprocessor 44 polls heated platen temperature sensor 8 (via heated
platen
temperature sensor signal line 26) and provides power to the platen 16 until
platen 16
achieves the target temperature. Once the target temperature is achieved,
microprocessor 44
initiates a timer, based on variables in memory 45 via memory interface buss
49, that allows
enough time for heated conduction plate 16 to transfer heat into the portable
electronic
device. In some embodiments, platen 16 has a heated conduction platen heating
profile 80
that takes a finite time to achieve a target temperature. Heating profile 80
(FIG. 7) is only one
algorithm and the target temperature can lie on any point on temperature axis
85. As a result
of heated conduction platen 16 transferring heat into the subject device, the
device
temperature profile 82 would be generated. In general, portable electronic
device temperature
profile 82 follows the heated conduction platen heating profile 80, and can
generally fall
anywhere on the temperature axis 85. Without further actions, the heated
conduction platen
heating profile 80 and portable electronic device heating profile 82 would
reach a quiescent
point and maintain these temperatures for a finite time along time 87. If
power was
discontinued to apparatus 1, the heated conduction platen heating profile 80
and portable
electronic device heating profile 85 would cool per profile 84.
[00275] During the heating cycle, vacuum chamber 3 can be in open position 17
or closed
position 18 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and has little effect on the
conductive heat transfer
from heated conduction platen 16 to the portable electronic device.
[00276] Convection chamber fan 9 may be powered via fan control signal line 24
that is
electrically connected to microprocessor 44 to circulate the air within
convection chamber 4
and outside vacuum chamber 3. The air within convection chamber 4 is heated,
at least in
part, by radiated heat coming from heated conduction platen 16. Convection
chamber fan 9
provides circulation means for the air within the convection chamber 4 and
helps maintain a
relatively uniform heated air temperature within convection chamber 4 and
surrounding
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vacuum chamber 3. Microprocessor 44 can close atmospheric vent solenoid valve
67 by
sending an electrical signal on atmospheric vent solenoid valve control signal
line 69.
[00277] In one embodiment of the invention, there are separate heating
elements to control
the heat within the convection chamber 4. These heating elements can be common
electrical
resistance heaters. In one embodiment, platen 16 can be used to heat
convection chamber 4
without the need for a separate convection chamber heater.
[00278] In operation, microprocessor 44 signals the user, such as via audible
indicator 20
(FIGS. 1 and 5) that heated conduction platen 4 has achieved target
temperature and can
initiate an audible signal on audible indicator 20 for the user to move vacuum
chamber 3
from the open position 17 to the closed position 18 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) in
order to initiate
the drying cycle. Start-stop switch 13 may then be pressed or activated by the
user,
whereupon microprocessor 44 senses this action through polling user interface
buss 48 and
sends a signal to convection vent solenoid valve 57 (via convection chamber
vent solenoid
control signal wire 56), which then closes atmospheric vent 6 through
pneumatically
connected atmospheric vent manifold 64. The closure of the convection chamber
vent
solenoid valve 57 ensures that the vacuum chamber 3 is sealed when the
evacuation of its
interior air commences.
[00279] After the electronic device is heated to a target temperature (or in
alternate
embodiments when the heated platen reaches a target temperature) and after an
optional time
delay, the pressure within the vacuum chamber is decreased. In at least one
embodiment,
microprocessor 44 sends a control signal to motor relay 42 (via motor relay
control signal
line 66) to activate evacuation pump 41. Motor relay 42 powers evacuation pump
41 via
evacuation pump power line 68. Upon activation, evacuation pump 41 begins to
evacuate air
from within vacuum chamber 3 through evacuation port 7, which is pneumatically
connected
to evacuation manifold 62. Microprocessor 44 can display elapsed time as on
display timer
14 (FIG. 1). As the evacuation of air proceeds within vacuum chamber 3, vacuum
chamber
sealing surface 31 compresses vacuum chamber sealing 0-ring 5 against heated
conduction
platen 16 surface to provide a vacuum-tight seal. Evacuation manifold 62 is
pneumatically
connected to a vacuum pressure sensor 43, which directs vacuum pressure analog
signals to
the microprocessor 44 via vacuum pressure signal line 52 for purposes of
monitoring and
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control in accordance with the appropriate algorithm for the particular
electronic device being
processed.
[00280] As air is being evacuated, microprocessor 44 polls heated conduction
platen 16
temperature, vacuum chamber evacuation pressure sensor 43, and relative
humidity sensor
5 61, via temperature signal line 26, vacuum pressure signal line 52, and
humidity signal line
65, respectively. During this evacuation process, the vapor pressure point of,
for example,
water on the surface of components within the portable electronic device
follows known
vapor pressure curve 74 as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C. In some embodiments,
microprocessor 44
algorithms have target temperature and vacuum pressure variables that fall
within, for
10 example, a preferred vacuum drying target zone 76. Vacuum drying target
zone 76 provides
water evaporation at lower temperatures based on the reduced pressure within
the chamber 4.
Microprocessor 44 can monitor pressure (via vacuum pressure sensor 43) and
relative
humidity (via relative humidity sensor 61), and control the drying process.
[00281] As the pressure within the chamber decreases, the temperature of the
electronic
15 device will typically drop, at least in part due to the escape of latent
heat of evaporation and
the vapor being scavenged through evacuation manifold 62, despite the heated
platen (or
whatever type of component is being used to apply heat) being maintained at a
constant
temperature. The drop in pressure will also cause the relative humidity to
increase, which will
be detected by relative humidity sensor 61, being pneumatically connected to
evacuation
20 manifold 62.
[00282] After the pressure within the chamber has been decreases, it is again
increased.
This may occur after a predetermined amount of time or after a particular
state (such as the
relative humidity achieving or approaching a steady state value) is detected.
The increase in
pressure may be accomplished by microprocessor 44 sending a signal to
convection chamber
25 vent solenoid valve 57 and atmospheric vent solenoid valve 67 (via
convection chamber vent
solenoid valve control signal 56 and atmospheric solenoid valve control signal
69) to open.
This causes air, which may be room air, to enter into atmospheric control
solenoid valve 67,
and thereby vent convection chamber 4. The opening of convection vent solenoid
valve 57,
which may occur simultaneously with the opening of convection chamber vent
solenoid valve
30 57 and/or atmospheric vent solenoid valve 67, allows heated air within
convection chamber 4
to be pulled into the vacuum chamber 3 by vacuum pump 41. Atmospheric air
(e.g., room air)
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gets drawn in due to the evacuation pump 41 remaining on and pulling
atmospheric air into
vacuum chamber 3 via atmospheric vent manifold 64 and evacuation manifold 62.
[00283] After the relative humidity has been reduced (as optionally sensed
through relative
humidity sensor 61 and a relative humidity sensor feedback signal sent via
relative humidity
sensor feedback line 65 to microprocessor 44), convection chamber vent
solenoid valve 57
and atmospheric solenoid valve 67 may be closed, such as via convection
chamber vent
solenoid valve control signal 56 and atmospheric solenoid valve control signal
69, and the
pressure within the vacuum chamber is again decreased.
[00284] This sequence can produce an evacuation chamber profile curve 98
(FIGS. 8B and
8C) that may be repeated based on the selected algorithm and controlled under
microprocessor 44 software control. Repetitive vacuum cycling (which may be
conducted
under constant heating) causes the wetting agent to be evaporated and forced
to turn from a
liquid state to a gaseous state. This gaseous state of the water allows the
resultant water vapor
to escape through the torturous paths of the electronic device through which
liquid water may
not otherwise escape.
[00285] In at least one embodiment, microprocessor 44 detects relative
humidity peaks 104
(depicted in FIG. 9), such as by using a software algorithm that determines
the peaks by
detecting a decrease or absence of the rate at which the relative humidity is
changing. When a
relative humidity peak 104 is detected, the pressure within the vacuum chamber
will be
increased (such as by venting the vacuum chamber), and the relative humidity
will decrease.
Once the relative humidity reaches a minimum relative humidity 108 (which may
be detected
by a similar software algorithm to the algorithm described above), another
cycle may be
initiated by decreasing the pressure within the vacuum chamber.
[00286] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8C, response curve directional plotting
arrow 96A
generally results from the heat gain when the system is in a purge air
recovery mode, which
permits the electronic device to gain heat. Response curve directional
plotting arrow 96B
generally results from latent heat of evaporation when the system is in vacuum
drying mode.
As consecutive cycles are conducted, the temperature 96 of the electronic
device will tend to
gradually increase, and the changes in temperature between successive cycles
will tend to
decrease.
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[00287] In some embodiments, microprocessor 44 continues this repetitive
heating and
evacuation of vacuum chamber 3 producing a relative humidity response curve
100 (FIG. 9).
This relative humidity response curve 100 may be monitored by the software
algorithm with
relative humidity cyclic maximums 104 and cyclic minimums 108 stored in
registers within
microprocessor 44. In alternate embodiments, relative humidity maximums 104
and
minimums 108 will typically follow a relative humidity drying profile 106A and
106B and
are asymptotically minimized over time to minimums 109 and 110. Through one or
more
successive heating cycles 96 and evacuation cycles 98, as illustrated in FIG.
8, the portable
electronic device arranged within the vacuum chamber 3 is dried. Control
algorithms within
microprocessor 44 can determine when the relative humidity maximum 104 and
relative
humidity minimum 108 difference is within a specified tolerance to warrant
deactivating or
stopping vacuum pump 41.
[00288] The system can automatically stop performing consecutive drying cycles
when one
or more criteria are reached. For example, the system can stop performing
consecutive drying
cycles when a parameter that changes as the device is dried approaches or
reaches a steady-
state or end value. In one example embodiment, the system automatically stops
performing
consecutive drying cycles when the relative humidity falls below a certain
level or
approaches (or reaches) a steady-state value. In another example embodiment,
the system
automatically stops performing consecutive drying cycles when the difference
between
maximum and minimum relative humidity in a cycle falls below a certain level.
In still
another example embodiment, the system automatically stops performing
consecutive drying
cycles when the temperature 96 of the electronic device approaches or reaches
a steady-state
value.
[00289] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 5, microprocessor 44 may be remotely
connected to
the Internet via, e.g., an RJ11 modem Internet connector 12 that is integrated
to the modem
interface 46. Microprocessor 44 may thus send an Internet or telephone signal
via modem
Internet interface 46 and RI 1 1 Internet connector 12 to signal the user that
the processing
cycle has been completed and that the electronic device is sufficiently dried.
[00290] Thus, simultaneous conductive heating and vacuum drying can be
achieved and
tailored to specific electronic devices based upon portable electronic
materials of construction
to dry the various types of electronic devices without damage.
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[00291] In alternate embodiments, an optional desiccator 63 (FIG. 5) may be
connected to
evacuation manifold 62 upstream of evacuation pump 41. One example location
for
desiccator 63 is downstream of relative humidity sensor 61 and upstream of
evacuation pump
41. When included, desiccator 63 can absorb the moisture in the air coming
from vacuum
chamber 3 prior to the moisture reaching evacuation pump 41. In some
embodiments
desiccator 63 can be a replaceable cartridge or regenerative type desiccator.
[00292] In embodiments were the evacuation pump is of the type that uses oil,
there can be
a tendency for the oil in evacuation pump to scavenge (or absorb) water from
the air, which
can lead to entrainment of water into the evacuation pump, premature breakdown
of the oil in
the evacuation pump, and/or premature failure of the evacuation pump. In
embodiments
where the evacuation pump is of the oil free type, high humidity conditions
can also lead to
premature failure of the pump. As such, advantages may be realized by removing
water (or
possibly other air constituents) from the air with desiccator 63 before the
air reaches
evacuation pump 41.
[00293] Although many of the above embodiments describe drying apparatuses and
methods that are automatically controlled, other embodiments include drying
apparatuses and
methods that are manually controlled. For example, in one embodiment a user
controls
application of heat to the wetted device, application of a vacuum to the
wetted device, and
release of the vacuum to the wetted device.
[00294] Depicted in FIG. 10 is a drying apparatus, e.g., an automatic portable
electronic
device drying apparatus 200, according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
Many features and components of drying apparatus 200 are similar to features
and
components of drying apparatus 1, the same reference numerals being used to
indicate
features and components that are similar between the two embodiments. Drying
apparatus
200 includes a disinfecting member, such as ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light
202, that may,
for example, kill germs. Light 202 may be mounted inside convection chamber 4
and
controlled by a UV germicidal light control signal 204. In one embodiment, the
UV
germicidal light 202 is mounted inside convection chamber 4 and outside vacuum
chamber 3,
with the UV radiation being emitted by germicidal light 202 and passing
through vacuum
chamber 3, which may be fabricated from UV light transmissive material, one
example being
Acrylic plastic. In an alternate embodiment, UV germicidal light 202 is
mounted inside
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vacuum chamber 3, which may have benefits in embodiments where vacuum chamber
3 is
fabricated from non-UV light transmissive material.
[00295] In one embodiment, the operation of drying apparatus 200 is similar to
the
operation of drying apparatus 1 as described above with the following changes
and
clarifications. Microprocessor 44 sends control signal through UV germicidal
lamp control
line 204 and powers-up UV germicidal lamp 202, which may occur at or near the
activation
of heated conduction platen 16 by microprocessor 44. In one embodiment, UV
germicidal
lamp 202 will then emit UV waves in the 254 nm wavelength, which can penetrate
vacuum
chamber 3, particularly in embodiments where vacuum chamber 3 is fabricated
from clear
plastic in one embodiment.
[00296] In still further embodiments, one or more desiccators 218 may be
isolated from
evacuation manifold 62, which may have advantages when performing periodic
maintenance
or performing automated maintenance cycles of the drying apparatus. As one
example, the
embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11-13 includes valves (e.g., 3-way air purge
solenoid valves
210 and 212) that can selectively connect and disconnect desiccator 218 from
evacuation
manifold 62. Solenoid valve 210 is positioned between relative humidity sensor
61 and
desiccator 218, and solenoid valve 212 positioned between desiccator 218 and
vacuum sensor
43. In the illustrated embodiment, 3-way air purge valves 210 and 212 have
their common
distribution ports pneumatically connected to desiccator 218. This common port
connection
provides simultaneous isolation of desiccator 218 from exhaust manifold 62 and
disconnection of exhaust manifold 62 and vacuum pump 41. This disconnection
prevents
moisture from vacuum chamber 3 reaching vacuum pump 41 while desiccator 63 is
being
regenerated. Operation of this embodiment is similar to the embodiment
described in relation
to FIG. 5 with the following changes and clarifications.
[00297] An optional desiccator heater 220 and optional desiccator air purge
pump 224 may
be included. While desiccator 218 is isolated from evacuation manifold 62 and
vacuum pump
41, desiccator 218 may be heated by desiccator heater 220 without affecting
vacuum
manifold 62 and associated pneumatic vacuum circuitry. As desiccant inside
desiccator 218 is
heated, for example to a target temperature, to bake off absorbed moisture,
purge pump 224
can modulate (for example, according to a maintenance control algorithm with a
prescribed
time and/or temperature profile commanded by microprocessor 44) to assist in
the removal of
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moisture from desiccant 218. In certain embodiments, the target temperature
for the
desiccator heater is at least 200 deg. F and at most 300 deg. F. In further
embodiments, the
target temperature for the desiccator heater is approximately 250 deg. F.
[00298] As purge pump 224 is modulated, atmospheric air is forced along air
path 235,
5 across the desiccant housed inside desiccator 218, and the moisture laden
air is blown off
through atmospheric port 238. An optional desiccator cooling fan 222 may be
included (and
optionally modulated by microprocessor 44) to reduce the desiccant temperature
inside
desiccator 218 to a temperature suited for the desiccant to absorb moisture
rather than outgas
moisture.
10 [00299] When the drying cycle is initiated according to one embodiment,
atmospheric vent
6 is closed and microprocessor 44 sends control signals via 3-way air purge
solenoid control
line 214 to 3-way air purge solenoid valves 210 and 212. This operation closes
3-way air
purge solenoid valves 210 and 212 and allows vacuum pump 41 to pneumatically
connect to
evacuation manifold 62. This pneumatic connection allows evacuated air to flow
along air
15 directional path 215, through evacuation manifold 62 and through desiccator
218 before
reaching vacuum pump 41. One advantage that may be realized by removing
moisture from
the evacuated air prior to reaching vacuum pump 41 is a dramatic decrease in
the failure rate
of vacuum pump 41.
[00300] After microprocessor 44 algorithm senses that the portable electronic
device is
20 dried, microprocessor 44 may signal the system to enter a maintenance
mode. UV germicidal
light 202 may be powered off via UV germicidal light control line 204 from
microprocessor
44. Microprocessor 44 powers desiccator heater 220 via desiccator heater power
relay control
signal 166 and desiccators heater power relay 228. The temperature of
desiccator 218 may be
sampled by microprocessor 44 via desiccator temperature probe 230, and the
heating of
25 desiccator 218 may be controlled to a specified temperature that begins
baking out the
moisture in desiccant housed in desiccator 218. The 3-way air purge solenoid
valves 210 and
212 may be electrically switched via 3-way air purge solenoid control line 202
when it is
determined that sufficient drying has occurred, which may occur at a finite
time specified by
microprocessor 44 maintenance algorithm. Air purge pump 224 may then be
powered on by
30 microprocessor 44 via air purge pump control signal 232 to flush
moisture laden air through
desiccator 218 and into atmospheric vent port 238. Microprocessor 44 may use a
timer in the
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maintenance algorithm to heat and purge moisture laden air for a finite time.
Once the
optional maintenance cycle is complete, microprocessor 44 may turn on
desiccator cooling
fan 222 to cool desiccator 218. Microprocessor 44 may then turn off air purge
pump 224 to
ready the system for the drying and optional disinfecting of another
electronic device.
[00301] Referring to FIG. 12, desiccator 218 is shown with a desiccator heater
220, a
desiccator temperature sensor 230, a desiccator cooling fan 222, and
desiccator air purge
solenoid valves 210 and 212. Vacuum pump 41 is connected to evacuation
manifold 62 and
air purge pump 224 is pneumatically connected to air purge solenoid valve 212
via air purge
manifold 240. 3-way air purge solenoid valves 210 and 212 are depicted in the
state to enable
vacuum through desiccator 218 as shown by air directional path
[00302] Referring to FIG. 13, desiccator 3-way air purge solenoid valves 210
and 212 are
depicted in a maintenance state, which permits air flow from air purge pump
224 flushed
"backwards" along direction 235 through desiccator and out via purged air port
238. Air
purge pump 224 can generate or cause pressurized air to flow along air
directional path 235.
This preferred directional path of atmospheric air permits the desiccant to
give up moisture in
a pneumatically isolated state and prevents moisture from entering air purge
pump 224,
which would occur if air purge pump pulled air through desiccator 218. Purge
pump 224 can
continue to blow air in the directional path 235 for a prescribed time in
microprocessor 44
maintenance control algorithm. In one embodiment, an in-line relative humidity
sensor
similar to relative humidity sensor 61 is incorporated to sense when
desiccator 218 is
sufficiently thy.
[00303] As described above in at least one embodiment, evacuation manifold 62
is
disconnected from vacuum pump 41 when desiccator 218 is disconnected from
evacuation
manifold 62. Nevertheless, alternate embodiments include an evacuation
manifold 62 that
remains pneumatically connected with vacuum pump 41 when desiccator 218 is
disconnected
from evacuation manifold 62. This configuration may be useful in situations
where desiccator
218 may be blocking airflow, such as when desiccator 218 has malfunctioned,
and operation
of drying apparatus 200 is still desired.
[00304] Depicted in FIG. 14 is an air injection nozzle 260 according to one
embodiment of
the present disclosure. Nozzle 260 includes a nozzle body 261 and an injector
port 264.
Nozzle body 260 includes a passageway 262 through which a gas (such as air)
can flow
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through nozzle 260 between nozzle body orifice 270 and injection port orifice
266. Injection
port 264 is generally sized to be received within a standard receptacle in the
electronic
device, such as with an outer diameter equal to approximately 3.5 nun or 2.5
mm.
[00305] In some embodiments, injection port 264 is configured to be received
within
differently sized receptacles in the electronic device. For example, in the
embodiment
depicted in FIG. 14, injection port 264 includes a proximal end portion 268
and a distal end
portion 269 with different outer diameters, each of which may be received
within a standard
receptacle in the electronic device. For example, the outer diameter of
proximal end 268 may
be equal to approximately 3.5 mm and the distal end 269 may be equal to
approximately 2.5
nun, each end portion being approximately 1/4 inch in length. In still other
embodiment,
injection nozzle 260 may include one or more sections with a generally
frustoconical shape,
or may have more than one port 264, each port being differently sized.
[00306] FIG. 15 depicts air injection nozzle 260 coupled to venting port 6 in
heated
conduction platen 16 with, for example, an air tube 272.
[00307] As depicted in FIG. 16, air injection nozzle 260 may be coupled to an
orifice in an
electronic device 280, e.g., a common headphone jack, providing a pneumatic
path between
pneumatic venting port 6 and electronic device 280. Air 282 may be introduced
into
electronic device 280 via air injection nozzle 260 with resultant escaping air
283 coming
from electronic device assembly parting lines, battery cover, speaker grill,
and any other
physical attribute on electronic device 280 which is not air tight. Air 282
may be pressurized
above ambient conditions outside the drying device or air 282 may be at
approximately
ambient pressure. Air 282 may also be heated.
[00308] FIG. 17 depicts an electronic device dryer according to one embodiment
of the
present disclosure. In FIG. 17, electronic device 280 is sealed within vacuum
chamber 3 and
connected pneumatically vacuum pump 41 (which may be an oil less vacuum pump)
at
vacuum pump inlet 41A. Vacuum pump 41 also includes a discharge port 418,
which
discharges compressed air and may be connected to a discharge valve 307.
[00309] The depicted device dryer may also include one or more optional items,
such as
humidity sensor 61 (which may sense relative or absolute humidity), desiccator
218,
desiccator dump valve 212, vacuum sensor 43, atmospheric valve 309, compressed
air heater
305, and temperature sensor 300.
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[00310] Humidity sensor 61 (when used) detects the moisture in the air coming
from
vacuum chamber 3 and can send this information to microcontroller 44 via
humidity signal
65.
[00311] Desiccator 218 (when used) removes moisture from the air coming from
vacuum
chamber 3 prior to the moist air reaching vacuum pump 41. The optional
desiccator heater
220 provides a means to regenerate the desiccator, which may he accomplished
during a
maintenance mode of operation. Desiccator dump valve 212 can be used to direct
air leaving
desiccator 218 to either pump 41 or to the atmosphere.
[00312] Valve 309 may be used to supply an alternate source of intake air,
such as
atmospheric air, for pump 41.
[00313] Vacuum sensor 43 may be used to monitor pressure at various locations
throughout
the system, one location being depicted in FIGS. 17-20 where vacuum sensor 43
measures
the vacuum generated at the inlet 41A to pump 41.
[00314] Discharge valve 307 may be used to direct the flow of air discharged
from pump
41 to atmospheric/ambient conditions and/or to electronic device 280 via, for
example, port 6.
Valve 307 may also be adapted to regulate the amount and/or pressure of air
directed to
electronic device 280.
[00315] In some embodiments, pump 41 generates heated air that may be directed
into
electronic device 280 to enhance the drying process. Heater 305 may optionally
be used to
add heat to the air being introduced into electronic device 280, either by
adding heat to the air
discharged from pump 41 (as depicted in FIG. 19) or to other sources of air,
which may
include ambient air. The optional heat sensor 300 can monitor the temperature
of the air
entering electronic device 280 through nozzle 260. Temperature information
output from heat
sensor 300 may be used to regulate the temperature of the air entering
electronic device 280,
such as by controlling heater 305 or by controlling the mixing of air leaving
pump 41 and/or
heater 305 with ambient air.
[00316] In other embodiments, pump 41 can be comprised of a plurality of
pumps. As best
shown in FIG. 21, miniature high vacuum pump 410 is pneumatically connected in
series
through pneumatic crossover 405 to miniature high volume pump 400. FIG. 22A
depicts a
graphical vacuum curve response 460 of miniature high vacuum pump 410.
Miniature high
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vacuum pump 410 provides a desirable vacuum level of -27 in Hg to -29 in Hg
but requires
more time (> 50 seconds) to achieve. Referring now to FIG. 22B, a graphical
vacuum
response curve 450 is shown for miniature high volume pump 400. Graphical
vacuum
response curve 450 achieves the desired time (- 20 seconds) at a vacuum level
of
approximately -25 in Hg. FIG. 22C depicts a vacuum response curve 470 with
miniature high
vacuum pump 410 connected pneumatically in series with miniature high volume
pump 400.
The resultant vacuum response curve 470 achieves the desired vacuum level of -
27 in Hg to -
29 in Hg in the desired time frame of approximately 20 seconds.
[00317] Humidity signal 65, heated conduction temperature signal 26,
compressed air
temperature sensor 300, vacuum sensor 43, and desiccator temperature sensor
230 may all be
electrically connected to microprocessor 44 and used for system feedback and
control.
Compressed air heater signal control line 315, compressed air discharge valve
control signal
314, desiccator dump valve control signal 313, vacuum pump control signal 66
may also be
electrically connected to microprocessor 44 to provide control signals via
control algorithms
for system control outputs.
[00318] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 18, which depicts the pneumatic
path of FIG.
17, the electronic dryer decreases pressure within vacuum chamber 3.
Compressed air
discharge valve 307, desiccator dump valve 212, and atmospheric valve 309 are
configured
and operated to enable evacuation of air from vacuum chamber 3 to occur when
vacuum
pump 41 energized. Valve 212 directs air from desiccator 218 to pump 41, valve
309 is
closed so vacuum chamber 3 receives the full benefit of the low pressure
generated by pump
41, and valve 307 directs discharge air from pump 41 into ambient conditions.
[00319] FIG. 19 depicts the electronic dryer of FIG. 18 introducing heated air
into
electronic device 280. Discharge valve 307 directs pump output air to
electronic device 280,
valve 309 allows pump 41 to draw ambient air, and desiccator dump valve 212
allows air
exiting desiccator 218 to vent to ambient conditions. Depending on the
regulation of valve
307, pressurized air may be introduced into electronic device 280. Heater 305
may be used to
add heat to the air being directed into electronic device 280, and temperature
sensor 300 may
be used to control the temperature of the air being injected into electronic
device 280 via air
injection nozzle 260.
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[00320] FIG. 28 depicts a preferred embodiment of in-line heater 305. In-line
heater printed
circuit hoard 602 has in-line heater SMT resistors 603 mounted onto surface
and covered
using in-line heater cover 600. In line heater cover 600 is preferably plastic
injection molded
and has dividing walls 607 molded into the inside such that each dividing wall
607 fits
5 between the plurality of SMT resistors 603. Air can be forced or drawn
(e.g. under vacuum)
through in line heater 600 and follows tortuous path 612 and exits in line
heater exit stack
608. SMT resistors 603 are sized for available voltage levels within drying
apparatus 1 and
produce enough heat through resistance heating provide heated air in the range
of 90 degrees
F. and 140 degrees F.
10 [00321] In some embodiments, the temperature of the air/gas being
introduced into
electronic device 280 is at least approximately 90 degrees F. and at most 140
degrees F. In
still other embodiments, the temperature of the air/gas being introduced into
electronic device
280 is at least approximately 110 degrees F. and at most 130 degrees F.
[00322] In one embodiment, desiccator 218 may be regenerated when operating
the system
15 using the same flow paths but with electronic deice 280 removed from
vacuum chamber 3.
See, e.g., FIG. 20. Desiccator heaters 220 may be energized to produce heat in
desiccator 218
and dry the desiccant. Vacuum pump 41 is energized which provides compressed
air within
evacuation manifold 62 and aids in the moisture evaporation in desiccator 218.
Heat
generated by pump 41 and/or added by heater 305 can quicken the regeneration
of desiccator
20 218.
[00323] In at least one embodiment, pump 41 is powered by motor generating
approximately 1/3 horsepower and can generate a vacuum pressure of
approximately 29.5
mm of Hg below ambient conditions. In at least one embodiment, the electronic
device dryer
moves approximately 0.5 to approximately 2.5 cubic feet per minute of gas
(e.g., air) into the
25 electronic device being dried.
[00324] In some embodiments, miniature high vacuum pump 410 is powered by a
small
DC motor and generates approximately 3 watts to 5 watts of vacuum generating
power with a
flow rate of 0.3 liters per minute to 1 liter per minute. Miniature high
volume pump 400 is
powered by a small DC motor and generates approximately 3 watts to 5 watts of
vacuum
30 generating power with a flow rate of 0.6 liters per minute to 3 liters
per minute. It is generally
understood small DC motors driving miniature high vacuum pump 410 and
miniature high
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volume pump 400 can be brushed or brushless types. When miniature high vacuum
pump
410 and miniature high volume pump 400 are pneumatically combined using
pneumatic
plenum 405, the resulting vacuum response is a range of 0.3 liters per minute
to 3 liters per
minute and achieves the desired vacuum range of -27 in Hg to -29 in Hg in
approximately 20
seconds.
[00325] In some embodiments, all of the above described actions are performed
automatically so that a user may simply place an electronic device at the
proper location and
activate the drying device to have the drying device remove moisture from the
electronic
device.
[00326] Microprocessor 44 can be a microcontroller, general purpose
microprocessor, or
generally any type of controller that can perform the requisite control
functions.
Microprocessor 44 can read its program from memory 45, and may be comprised of
one or
more components configured as a single unit. Alternatively, when of a multi-
component
form, processor 44 may have one or more components located remotely relative
to the others.
One or more components of processor 44 may be of the electronic variety
including digital
circuitry, analog circuitry, or both. In one embodiment, processor 44 is of a
conventional,
integrated circuit microprocessor arrangement, such as one or more CORE i7
HEXA
processors from INTEL Corporation (450 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clam,
Calif.
95052, USA), ATHLON or PHENOM processors from Advanced Micro Devices (One AMD
Place, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94088, USA), POWERS processors from IBM Corporation
(1 New
Orchard Road, Armonk, N.Y. 10504, USA), or PIC Microcontrollcrs from Microchip
Technologies (2355 West Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, Ariz. 85224, USA). In
alternative
embodiments, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs),
reduced
instruction-set computing (RISC) processors, general-purpose microprocessors,
programmable logic arrays, or other devices may be used alone or in
combination as will
occur to those skilled in the art.
[00327] Likewise, memory 45 in various embodiments includes one or more types
such as
solid-state electronic memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, just to
name a few. By
way of non-limiting example, memory 45 can include solid-state electronic
Random Access
Memory (RAM), Sequentially Accessible Memory (SAM) (such as the First-In,
First-Out
(FIFO) variety or the Last-In First-Out (LIFO) variety), Programmable Read-
Only Memory
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(PROM), Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), or Electrically
Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM); an optical disc memory (such as a
recordable, rewritable, or read-only DVD or CD-ROM); a magnetically encoded
hard drive,
floppy disk, tape, or cartridge medium; or a plurality and/or combination of
these memory
types. Also, memory 45 may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a hybrid combination
of volatile and
nonvolatile varieties. Memory 45 in various embodiments is encoded with
programming
instructions executable by processor 44 to perform the automated methods
disclosed herein.
[00328] Referring now to FIG. 29 electronic device drying apparatus 800 which
utilizes
rigid vacuum chamber 480 with structural supporting ribs 485, clear acrylic
lid 520, and in-
line heater 600. In a similar manner as electronic dryer depicted in FIG. 1,
miniature high
vacuum pump 410 and miniature high volume pump 410 produce a vacuum greater
than -27
in Hg when fresh air valve 307 is closed and clear acrylic lid 520 is closed
and sealed against
vacuum chamber 480. Electronics control board 610 controls power to platen
heater 16 which
is comprised of printed circuit board 500 and has relative humidity sensor 61
and vacuum
pressure sensor 43 integrated (FIG. 27) onto platen heater 16. Electronics
control board 610
modulates fresh air valve 307 and in-line heater 600 and produces relative
humidity peaks
depicted in FIG. 9. Software algorithms stored in microprocessor 44 on
electronics control
board 610 monitors relative humidity peaks 104 resulting from vaporization of
liquid. The
vaporization of liquid resulting relative humidity peaks 104 converge
asymptotically thus
producing a drying end point defined as a minima relative humidity between 100
and 109
relative humidity peaks. Process data is collected and electronically
transmitted through buss
615 to wireless circuit board 614.
[00329] As best shown in FIG. 30, one embodiment of an electronic device dryer
apparatus
801 utilizes a collapsible vacuum chamber 490 (FIG. 24) with evacuation port
494 and fresh
air port 495 integrally mounted onto collapsible vacuum chamber 490. Mounting
of
evacuation port 494 and fresh air port 495 can be accomplished using
ultrasonic welding,
gluing, insert molding, or any other attachment means that produces a hermetic
seal.
Electronic device 280 is inserted into collapsible vacuum chamber 490 and
evacuation port
494 and fresh air port 495 pneumatically attached to fresh air valve 307 and
evacuation
plenum 7. Any suitable means can be used for pneumatic connection, with one
preferred
embodiment being a rubberized receptacle and evacuation port 494 and fresh air
port 495
having barbed features for vacuum sealing. Relative humidity sensor 61 and
vacuum pressure
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sensor 43 are integrated onto electronics control board 610 and sealed inside
pneumatic
chamber 630 which is attached to electronics control board 610 using a
suitable attachment
means. Although not specifically described, this seal can be fabricated from a
known o-ring,
pressure sensitive adhesive, or various silicones and glues. Collapsible
vacuum chamber 490
rests on top of platen heater printed circuit board 500 with integrated SMT
resistors 504 and
thermally conductive silicone 520. Collapsible vacuum chamber 490 is thin-
walled plastic
and provides sufficient thermal transfer conductivity which allows heat from
thermally
conductive silicone 520 to transfer into electronic device 280. Electronics
control board 610
controls power to SIVITI resistors 504 through control lines 617 and controls
in-line heater 600
which itself is integrated to electronics control board 610 and pneumatically
integrated to
fresh air valve 307. Electronics control board 610 passes process information
to wireless
board 614 though communication buss 615.
[00330] Electronic device (hying apparatuses depicted in 800 and 801 are used
to minimize
the drying time by minimizing the space requiring evacuation, minimizing cost
by utilizing
thin wall plastic injection molding on all structural parts, minimizing the
noise by utilizing
miniature pumps, and minimizing weight by integrating all electronics onto a
single printed
circuit board substrate.
[00331] Referring now to FIG. 31, an electronic drying application software
system 710 is
depicted running on a typical iOS or Android enabled tablet 700.
Alternatively, the software
system 710 may run on any other computing device (e.g., personal computer,
mobile device,
smart watch, wearable device, camera, etc.). In some embodiments, the software
system 710
may run on the electronic device dryer itself. In some embodiments, any
computing device
described herein may comprise a processor such as a signal processor,
microprocessor, etc.,
and memory that stores instructions configured to perform the various
operations described
herein. The instructions may be executed by the processor. In some
embodiments, a non-
transitory computer readable medium is provided comprising computer executable
code
configured to perform the various methods or operations described herein. In
some
embodiments, means are provided to perform the various methods or operations
described
herein.
[00332] Electronic drying application software 710 is configurable to
communicate using
various IEEE protocols and provides electromagnetic communication signals 705
to wireless
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modules 614 in dryer 800 or dryer 801. Although only electronic dryer 801 is
depicted, it is
generally understood that electronic dryer 801 has similar wireless
communication hardware
and software and would communicate in the exact same manner. Electronic drying
application software 710 provides means to communicate to a single or multiple
dryers, and
through handshaking signals 705 initiates control signals to dryer 801.
Integral to electronic
drying application software system 710 is the routines to capture through a
user interface
analytic data such as how long an electronic device has been wet, if the
electronic device was
plugged in (attempted charge) after it got wet, what make (e.g., model,
manufacturer, etc.) the
device is, how did it get wet, etc. This data is collected on a server 900 in
FIG. 32 and
presumably used for analytic data investigation either in real time or at a
future date.
Electronic drying application software system 710 is used to display in real-
time the amount
of water removed from the electronic device being dried, and, when the device
is charging
post drying the charging regulation CUTVC. The real-time amount of water
removed is
calculated by microprocessor 44 in dryer 800 or 801. Microprocessor 44
integrates the
relative humidity values from relative humidity sensor 61 which are used for
real-time water
volume removal calculations. The charging regulation curve can be used to
discern between
an inoperable and operable electronic device. Through experimentation, the
inventors have
discovered electronic devices which have become inoperable due to water
intrusion and are
then subsequently dried draw between 400 mA and 1000 mA for up to 10 minutes.
The
charging regulation curve then begins to drop at 3-10 mA per minute. The slope
of the
charging regulation curve can be used to discern a probable device recovery.
In some
embodiments, when the charge current is monitored, algorithms in
microprocessor 44 can
detect and predict success (operable), partial success (partially operable),
or no success
(inoperable) in device recovery. If device charge current starts at 400 mA-
1000 mA for the
first 5 minutes the likelihood of a full success is high. The negative slope
post initial charging
period can be used to finalize the prediction_ If the charge current begins to
drop at 3 mA-10
mA per minute, the battery is accepting a normal charge and the device is not
likely shorted
internally. If on the other hand there is no negative slope (e.g., the
charging current remains
steady at 400 mA-1000 mA), the battery and battery charge circuits are likely
blown and the
device is unrecoverable or inoperable.
[00333] Electronic drying application software 710 is used to generate a
unique identifier
for a membership-based (subscription) service which is tied to a relationship
database linking
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the unique identifier to a phone number, address, date of birth, or all of the
above. The unique
identifier is used as a pointer (meta-data) and used for search purposes,
start and end dates of
memberships, and general tracking of the electronic device which has been
registered under
the unique identifier. It is generally understood the unique identifier can be
used as a Stock
5 Keeping Unit (SKU), or, to generate a SKU for purposes of a line item to
charge a customer
with at a point of sale (POS) device.
[00334] In some embodiments, a device is wet if it has moisture greater than
or equal to a
first threshold level. In some embodiments, a device is dry if it has moisture
less than the first
threshold level or less than a second lower threshold level_ In some
embodiments, a device is
10 operable if it can be turned on and used to execute at least some
applications in a working
manner. In some embodiments, a device is inoperable if it cannot be turned on
or it cannot be
used to execute at least some applications in a working manner. Wet devices
are generally
inoperable while dry devices are generally operable. However, in some
embodiments, dry
devices are inoperable.
15 [00335] Referring now to HG. 33-FIG. 48, the software application which
is used to collect
consumer data, condition of the electronic device being contemplated for
drying, the process
for registering the devices for the membership database, are herein described.
When a
customer buys a phone, the store associate inquires whether or not the
customer would like to
register their device in the drying database. The store associate invokes the
application and
20 the device registration screen pops up as shown in FIG. 33 and selects the
radio button
"Register New User". The application presents a new screen to the user
requesting the name,
phone number, email, date of birth (DOB) and device registration (membership)
invoice
number and shown in FIG. 34. The membership invoice number is presumably
generated
from the store point of sale (FOS) equipment by using a unique Stock Keeping
Unit (SKU)
25 number for the device registration (membership) costs. As best shown in
FIG. 35, the
application now prompts the user/store associate indicating the device has
been registered.
The device registration contains the unique registration identifier,
registrant name, phone
number, registration start and end date, remaining dry attempts, store at
which the registration
was created, and store associate name who created the registration. It is
generally understood
30 the registration length of time can be variable as well as the remaining
dry attempts. Once the
registration record is created, and presumably a registrant visits a
participating store network
which has a license to use the application and drying service, the store
associate would access
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the registrant's information as best shown in HG. 36 by selecting the Member
Services radio
button. As best shown in the screen shot in FIG. 37, the store associate can
now invoke a
database search for the possible registrant by entering one of the five fields
and then selecting
the search button. If the registrant is in the database (defined by being a
paid-up member), the
registrants' information is displayed as shown in FIG. 38. Once, the
registrant record locator
is verified through a store associate prompting of the customer, the details
link is selected
which invokes FIG. 39 which is a screen shot of the validation process. The
store associate
enters the registrants' date of birth (which presumably only the registrant
would know) the
full record is displayed as shown in FIG. 40 and the store associate can
verify whether or not
the registrant is valid, has remaining dry attempts, and what store created
the registration.
Once the store associate verifies the registration through the application,
the store associate
can now select the radio button to either renew the registration, edit the
registration, or dry a
phone (Start Revive). In the case of drying a phone, the application displays
the screen shot
of FIG. 41, whereby the store associate now can enter the device manufacturer,
how long ago
it saw the wet peril, and if it where plugged it (charging attempted while
wet). This data all
gets written to the application database for later analytics and sorting for
reports. After the
store associate enters the information, the start revive radio button is
selected and now screen
shot in HG. 42 is displayed. HG. 42 prompts the store associate to ensure the
wet electronic
device has been placed into the dryer (revive) and if this is the case, the
store associate selects
the start revive button once again. As best shown in the screen shot of FIG.
43, the revive
drying process is now in process and the revive dryer is communicating to the
application via
wireless signals as shown in FIG. 32. The drying process application screen of
FIG. 43
depicts the time elapsed and amount of water removed based on algorithms
within the revive
dryer and transmitted via wireless to the application. Once the drying process
is completed, a
post drying screen is displayed as best shown in the screen shot in FIG. 44.
The application
prompts the store associate with the registrants' name phone model, and what
condition the
device is in post drying. Once the store associate selects a condition radio
button, the
application displays one of three screen shots shown in HG. 45, which contain
the 100%
success, partial success, and failure screens. The store associate is prompted
to select the
various radio buttons on these screens and the drying process and data
collection is completed
for a registered device (member).
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[00336] In the ease where a non-registered device has a water peril and comes
into a store
to presumably dry their phone, the store associate selects the revive a phone
as shown in the
screen shot of FIG. 46. Once the revive a phone radio button is selected,
screen shot depicted
in FIG. 47 is displayed. The application prompts the store associate to enter
the customer
(non-registrants') email, name, or phone number and the application now checks
the database
of FIG. 32 to ensure the non-registrant is indeed a non-registrant. If the
database detects the
customer identifiers, the application provides a balloon prompt that the non-
registrant is a
registrant (member) and they can now dry their phone by the previous depicted
process. If the
application does not detect the customer as a registrant, then screen shot in
HG. 48 is
produced which permits a non-registrant the ability to dry their phone as a
diagnostic. The
application prompts the store associate for the diagnostic fee invoice which
is presumably
driven off the store POS system and given a diagnostic SKU which the store
associate enters
in the field. The store associate now selects the start revive radio button
and application
reverts to FIG. 41 and the non-registrants' phone can be dried as described in
the previous
process.
[00337] Referring now to FIG. 49, an Internet of Things (IoT) machine-to-
machine control
system 4910 is shown with vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920 (i.e., the
controller for
the device electronic device dryer apparatus), web-browser user interface 4930
(displayed on
a user's computing device which can be any type of computing device described
in this
disclosure) and enterprise system 4940, which includes an enterprise database
cloud storage
device or service. Each of these systems may be one or more computing devices
or systems.
The control system 4910 also includes one or more electronic device dryers as
described in
this disclosure. Vacuum dryer control system 4920 is comprised of host
microcontroller
(MCU) 4960, WiFi connection device or module 4970, and cellular connection
device or
module 4950. In some embodiments, host controller 4960 communicates with WiFi
connection device 4970 and cellular connection device 4950 via universal
asynchronous
receive transmit (UART) bus 4980. UART bus 4980 can be custom configured in
serial
peripheral interface (SPI) mode or inter-integrated communication (I2C) mode
in host
microcontroller 4960 using a firmware communication stack housed in host
microcontroller
4960 memory. In preferred embodiments, host microcontroller 4960 is configured
in SPI
mode for ease of set-up and error handling between WiFi connection device 4970
and cellular
connection device 4950. In some embodiments, the WiFi connection device 4970
and cellular
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connection device 4950 may be different portions of the same device. The
vacuum dryer
wifeless control system 4920 may be located in the device dryer (e.g., any
device dryer
described in this disclosure) or may be located separately from the device
dryer but in wired
or wireless communication with the device dryer.
[00338] Firmware communication stack housed in memory of host microcontroller
4960 is
configured in such a manner as to permit wireless communication of WiFi
connection device
4970 in Access Point (AP) mode (and/or WiFi Direct mode) to web browser user
interface
4930 on any web-enabled device via wireless communication signals 4990. The
WiFi
connection device 4970 may be controlled by host microcontroller 4960.
[00339] Near simultaneously with the conununication between the WiFi
connection device
4970 and the web browser user interface 4930, cellular module 4950, which is
being
controlled by host microcontroller 4960, communicates with the host controller
4960 via
Long Term Evolution (Lit) CAT1 communication signals 4995 or any other kind of
wired
or wireless signals such as any signals described in this disclosure. In some
embodiments,
any signals described herein are non-transitory signals. In other embodiments,
any signals
described herein are transitory signals. In preferred embodiments, cellular
connection device
4950 is replaceable and pluggable within vacuum dryer wireless control system
4920 and can
be substituted with communication devices or modules that support LIE CAT MI
communication protocols and second generation (2(i) communication protocols.
LTE CAT1
communication signals 4995 communicate to a cloud based enterprise system 4940
via
cellular towers and provide token exchanges and handshaldng signals to allow
data to be
passed with communication signals 4995 to and from the enterprise system 4940.
[00340] In preferred embodiments, the handshaking signals (e.g., transmitted
from the
vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920 to the enterprise system 4940) are
comprised of
transmitted data from the vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920 which
comprises, at
minimum, the dryer serial number and a registrant's (i.e, user or customer)
mobile phone
number, address, email, or other contact or identification information.
Software flags which
are configured in the enterprise system 4940 provide the status of the
registrant (e.g. member
or not a member). Once the status of the registrant is determined or
confirmed, the enterprise
system 4940 transmits a unique software key or token back to the vacuum dryer
wireless
control system 4920 (which may also be known as the controller or control
system or power
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and control system in various parts of this disclosure). In some embodiments,
the vacuum
dryer system (i.e., the electronic device dryer) being controlled by the
vacuum dryer wireless
control system 4920 may automatically start the drying process after receiving
and/or
processing the software key or token. In other embodiments, the dryer may
present an
indicator (e.g., on a display or the indicator may be communicated (e.g., from
the vacuum
dryer wireless control system 4920) to the computing device associated with
the user
interface 4930 such that the indicator is displayed on the user interface
4930) such that
another computing device or a human may initiate the drying process associated
with the
device dryer. The indicator presented on the user interface 4930 indicates
whether the
registrant/user/customer is a member or non-member. If the
registrant/user/customer is a
member, the user interface 4930 (or another user interface or display
associated with the
vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920) also indicates the number of dry
attempts
remaining for the member either prior to after the drying process has either
started or
completed. In some embodiments, either prior to or after the drying process
has either started
or completed, the vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920 (and/or the
computing device
associated with the user interface 4930) sends process information or data
associated with the
drying process (e.g., identification information associated with the apparatus
and/or the
electronic device, the progress of the drying process, the success or failure
of the drying
process, the operation status of the electronic device being processed or
dried by the device
dryer, etc.) to the enterprise system 4940, and the enterprise system 4940
decrements the
number of remaining dry attempts for the member by 1.
[00341] In some embodiments, the computing device associated with the user
interface
4930 communicates with the enterprise system 4940 directly (e.g., WiFi direct)
via one or
more wireless or wired communication protocols. In other embodiments, the
computing
device associated with the user interface 4930 communicates with the
enterprise system 4930
via the WiFi of the location where the device dryer and the vacuum dryer
wireless control
system 4920 are located. In such embodiments, the computing device associated
with the user
interface 4930 may need the WiFi credentials of the WiFi at the location, and
the vacuum
dryer wireless control system 4920 may also need the WiFi credentials of the
WiFi at the
location.
[00342] In some embodiments, the computing device associated with the user
interface
4930 communicates with the vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920 directly
(e.g., WiFi
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Direct) via one or more wireless or wired communication protocols. In other
embodiments,
the computing device associated with the user interface 4930 communicates with
the vacuum
dryer wireless control system 4920 via the WiFi of the location where the
device dryer and
the vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920 are located. In such
embodiments, the
5 computing device associated with the user interface 4930 may need the
WiFi credentials of
the WiFi at the location, and the vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920
may also need
the WiFi credentials of the WiFi at the location. Features of any embodiments,
devices, or
processes may be combined with features of any other embodiments, devices, or
processes
described herein.
10 [00343] The enterprise system 4940 may comprise one or more databases or
memory
devices to store information associated with device dryers, entities, or
locations at which the
device dryers are located and/or one or more registered or non-registered
device dryer
customers/users. The enterprise system 4940 may comprise one or more
communications
devices to receive data from or send data, either directly or indirectly, via
one or more
15 computing devices, to the vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920 and/or
web-
browser/application user interface 4930 or a computing device associated with
the web-
browser user interface 4930. In some embodiments, the web-browser/application
user
interface 4930 may be associated with any mobile or non-mobile computing
device,
including tablets, phones, desktop computers, kiosks, etc.
20 [00344] In some embodiments, the entire system or environment of FIG. 49
may be
referred to as an Internet of Things (IoT) system. or environment. In some
embodiments, a
computing device, as described in this disclosure, may refer to at least one
of the vacuum
dryer wireless control system 4920, the computing device connected to or
displaying the
web-browser user interface 4930, and/or the enterprise system 4940. In some
embodiments,
25 the web-browser user interface 4930 may be a user interface associated with
a user or
customer application. The communication between the vacuum dryer wireless
control system
4920 and the enterprise system (and/or the computing device associated with
the web-
browser user interface 4930) may be referred to as IoT machine-to-machine
communication.
In some embodiments, this machine-to-machine communication is characterized by
data
30 transfer associated with a low data transfer rate or bandwidth (e.g., 1
k13/sec). In some
embodiments, the vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920 may use Hypertext
Transfer
Protocol (Hull-') POST commands to upload data or files via the web to a
server. This data
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may include a registrant's name, phone number, email, etc. In some
embodiments, this data
may be input or transmitted to a computing device (e.g., the computing device
associated
with the user interface 4930) and communicated to the enterprise system 4940.
In some
embodiments, the vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920 uses HTTP GET
commands to
receive data from the enterprise system 4940. This data includes data
associated with a
registrant in the database stored at or accessed by the enterprise system
4940. For example,
this data includes information associated with a registrant/user/customer's
registration status
(e.g., member, non-member, etc.), whose information may have been transmitted
in the
POST command. In some embodiments, software upgrades to the vacuum dryer
wireless
control system 4920 may be communicated from at least one of the computing
device
associated with the user interface 4930 or the enterprise system 4940. In some
embodiments,
any direct or WiFi communication between two systems or devices in this
disclosure may
refer to WiFi Direct communication.
[00345] Referring now to FIG. 50, heated conduction platen 16 of FIG. 2 is
depicted with
thermofoil resistance heater 21 mounted on heater substrate 5010 in a
isometric magnified
view. In some embodiments, heater substrate 5010 is a planar material which
can be non-
thermally conductive (insulative) or thermally conductive. In some preferred
embodiments,
heater substrate is silicone or FR4 (flame Retardant 4) printed circuit board
material. In
another preferred embodiment, thermofoil resistance heater 21 is or comprises
printed circuit
conductors etched or plated onto heater substrate 5010, itself fabricated from
FR4 printed
circuit board material. When thermofoil resistance heater 21 traces are formed
through the
etching of photoresist, the thermofoil resistance heater traces 21 are crowned
with
longitudinal tangent surfaces due to inherent uneven chemical etching. This
manifests into
longitudinal contours that provide tangential contact onto any planar object
placed in top of
heated conduction platen 16. In some embodiments, any contoured surface may
refer to any
spherical or curved surface.
[00346] Referring now to HG. 51, a trace length vs. trace width effective
thermal contact
area table 5110 is depicted. For various desired wattages of heated conduction
platen 16 of
FIG. 50, trace lengths and trace widths are calculated. The combination of
trace lengths and
widths produce desired effective thermal contact areas of 0.5 square inches to
3 square
inches. In some preferred embodiments, the combination of trace lengths of 250
inches and
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trace width of 0.006 inches produces an effective thermal contact area of 1.5
square inches, or
ideal contact area combination 5120.
[00347] As shown in HG. 52, the entire system or environment of FIG. 49 has
Global
Positioning System (CPS) system or device 5200, audio system or device 5205
with speaker
5210, and microphone 5215. UPS system 5200 and audio system 5205 are
interfaced with
host MCU 4960 using SPI/UART bus 4980. In some preferred embodiments, UPS
system
5200 uses geostationary UPS satellite network to precisely determine or
provide the location
of vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920 and/or the electronic device
drying apparatus
in communication with or comprising the vacuum dryer wireless control system
4920. In
other embodiments, other location-determining systems (e.g., triangulation
systems using cell
towers, etc.) may be used (in addition to or alternatively from the UPS system
5200) to
determine a physical or network location (e.g., Internet Protocol (IP)
address) of the vacuum
dryer wireless control system 4920 or the associated electronic device drying
apparatus (e.g.,
associated with or comprising the control system 4920). The location
information may
include, in addition to or alternatively from the physical or network
location, identification
information associated with the electronic device drying apparatus,
identification information
associated with a store or merchant where the electronic device dryer
apparatus is located,
etc.
[00348] In other embodiments, one or more communications boards or circuits
comprising
the UPS system 5200 (or any other location-determining system), the cellular
device 4950 (or
any other communication device), and/or any other devices, modules, or systems
in any of
the figures, including FIG. 52 and FIG. 49, may be powered by a battery
(internal power
source) or through wall power (external power source). In some embodiments,
the battery
may be a back-up battery that is used as a power source when there is no
external power
source available. As shown in FIG. 52, in preferred embodiments, UPS system
5200 (or any
other location-determining system) and cellular device 4950 can be powered by
back-up
battery 5225. Back-up battery 5225 is configured in such a manner as to allow
location
services (e.g., location information being sent to a remote server either
automatically or based
on pings from the remote server) and cellular communications (e.g., voice
calls or data
sending/receiving to a remote server via cellular network) without system
power (e.g.,
without power being provided to the electronic device drying apparatus and/or
the vacuum
dryer wireless control system 4920).
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[00349] The location information is useful because it can be used to determine
a location of
the electronic device drying apparatus, and can be used to keep track of a
particular electronic
device drying apparatus when it moves from one location to another. Also,
electronic device
drying apparatuses may be located in many countries, each of which has
different electrical
power cord configurations. Knowing the location of an electronic device drying
apparatus
would make it easier to match a particular electronic device drying apparatus
with power cord
configuration for the country where it is located, or make it easier to
provide appropriate
power-related hardware systems (or software) to the electronic device drying
apparatus so
that the electronic device drying apparatus can receive power from a power
source in the
country where it is located. Knowing the location of an electronic device
drying apparatus
would also make it easier to track stolen apparatuses.
[00350] Knowing the location of an electronic device drying apparatus can also
help to
ensure that software/firmware associated with (or to be installed in) the
apparatus or any
other computing device communicating with the apparatus matches the country in
which
apparatus is located. Each country may be associated with or require a
different a
software/firmware installation in the apparatus or associated computing
device.
[00351] Additionally, knowing the location of an electronic device drying
apparatus can
assist with tracking the apparatus on its initial power up or during any
reboot. In some
embodiments, the apparatus may be configured to send location information
(e.g., to a remote
server) on its initial power up or during any reboot. In other embodiments,
the apparatus may
be pinged periodically for its location information, or may automatically
send, on a periodic
basis, location information to a remote server. The remote server comprise or
communicate
with a database that may store historical location information for electronic
device drying
apparatuses described herein.
[00352] In other preferred embodiments, remote service desk calls can be made
via cellular
device 4950. Local store associates or technicians (e.g., located at or near
the electronic
device drying apparatus and/or the vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920,
which may be
comprised in the electronic device drying apparatus or located outside the
electronic device
drying apparatus) can communicate directly with service desk support (e.g.,
located remotely
from the electronic device drying apparatus and/or the vacuum dryer wireless
control system
4920) using microphone 5215, speaker 5210 and audio system 5205. In some
embodiments,
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speaker 5210 and microphone 5215 may be replaced by a 3.5rnm headphone jack.
In some
embodiments, the calls may be made through or received from computing devices
(e.g.,
mobile computing devices such as phones or tablets) in communication with the
electronic
device drying apparatus and/or the vacuum dryer wireless control system 4920.
[00353] Referring now to FIG. 53, a drying apparatus 5300 is depicted with a
rectangular
vacuum chamber 5302, metalized chamber coating 5306, and metalized chamber lid
coating
5304. Rectangular vacuum chamber 5302 is sized to accommodate hearing aids,
cochlear
implants, or in general, any hearables which permit the ability to minimize
chamber volume.
Rectangular vacuum chamber 5302 and chamber lid 5303 are fabricated from low
cost
polymer plastic. Although various polymer plastics could be used, the
preferred embodiment
is flame-proof polycarbonate 94V. Under normal atmospheric conditions,
polymeric
materials acclimate to the localized temperature and humidity in the air. In
some
embodiments, plastic injection molding is used to perform a drying process on
the polymer
pellets used as feedstock for the plastic injection molding machine. This
drying process
comprises a heated air blower blowing heated air that is directed across the
pellets and
evaporates the moisture in the plastic pellets. Without this drying process,
the trapped
moisture will evaporate under the elevated plastic injection molding
temperatures and outgas,
leaving voids in the finished plastic parts. Once the plastic parts are
ejected from the plastic
injection molding machine, the plastic parts begin to naturally uptake water
vapor once again
from the local environment. Thus, all plastic parts retain some level of
molecular water
vapor which can affect moisture measurements. Metalized chamber coating 5306
and
metalized chamber lid coating 5304 provide a sealing means for the plastic to
prevent
desorption of moisture within the polymers during the vacuum drying process.
Metalized
coatings also provide a reflective surface for ultraviolet (UV) light used for
germicidal
cleaning. The metalized coatings provide a means to more accurately measure
humidity
levels within the vacuum chamber 5302. By minimizing the water desorption
coming out of
the vacuum chamber 5302 (background humidity), the humidity level within the
vacuum
chamber is primarily the result of the moisture content in the hearing aid,
cochlear implant, or
any other bearable being subjected to vacuum drying.
[00354] As best shown in HG. 54, drying apparatus 5400 is depicted with round
vacuum
chamber 5402, metalized round vacuum chamber coating 5406, and metalized
chamber lid
coating 5404. Like the embodiment shown in FIG. 53, the metalized round vacuum
chamber
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coating 5406 and metalized chamber lid coating 5402 are used to minimize
chamber volume,
provide a desorption barrier for the plastics, and provide a reflective
surface means for UV
lights.
[00355] FIG. 55 is an isometric diagram of a healing platen assembly 5500,
together with
5 rectangular printed circuit board heater 5501, heater traces 5502 (used
to heat the platen via
electrical resistance which is best suited at 10W ¨ 25W), humidity sensor
5506, pressure
sensor 5504, UV light array 5514, USB charging cord 5508, and wireless
charging circuitry
5510. The pressure sensor 5504 may be mounted on the reverse side of the
heating platen.
This eliminates the need for a separate sensor board and provides a means to
measure the
10 vacuum pressure inside the vacuum chamber. The control software utilizes
this vacuum
pressure measurement to determine when the boiling point of water is achieved
to start
humidity sampling. Although humidity sensor 5506 is surface-mountable to a
printed circuit
board, it is depicted mounted on a separate sensor board 5520 which is
thermally isolated
from printed circuit board heater 5501. Humidity sensor 5506 is a fast
response type sensor
15 which can be sampled at least 1 time per second within a thermal range
of 25 C to 85 C.
Although this thermal range provides accurate measurements (e.g., associated
with moisture),
thermal isolation is required to incorporate the most accurate moisture
removed calculations.
To determine minimal moisture levels removed of at least 0.5 microliters, the
thermal
isolation range of humidity sensor 5506 and therefore sensor board 5520 and
the printed
20 circuit board heater 5501 must be between 0 C and 15 C. In some
embodiments, USB
charging cord 5508 is controlled by electronics control board 610 of FIG. 29.
Similarly, in
some embodiments, wireless charging circuitry 5510 is controlled by
electronics control
board 610 of FIG. 29.
[00356] Referring now to FIG. 56, round printed circuit board heater 5601 is
depicted
25 similarly to FIG. 55, with sensor board 5620 thermally isolated from
round printed circuit
board heater 5601. Separate printed circuit boards ensure humidity sensor 5606
is thermally
isolated from round printed circuit board heater 5601 in the range of between
0 C and 15 C
for moisture level calculations.
[00357] As best shown in FIG. 57 and FIG. 58, a fully configured electronics
dryer for
30 hearables 5700 and 5800 is depicted. Both electronics dryers for
hearables 5700 and 5800
incorporate bearable hold-down straps 5706, hold-down strap attachment studs
5708, vacuum
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tube 5712, and cleaning vacuum wand 5714. Hearable hold-down straps 5706
provide a
hold-down force of 10 grams up to 500 grams to adequately press any hearing
aid, cochlear
implant, or other hearable into the heater traces 5502 (which maybe in
physical contact with
and located on top of, underneath, or in the platen on which the hearing aid
device is placed).
Hold-down strap attachment studs 5708 are used to attach hearable hold-down
straps 5706 to
chamber lid 5303 (or apparatus lid). Cleaning vacuum wand 5714 utilizes
miniature vacuum
generated from high vacuum pump 400 and miniature high volume pump 410 shown
in HG.
29. Cleaning vacuum wand 5714 is configured to allow vacuum pressure generated
from
high vacuum pump 400 to permit vacuum cleaning of hearing aids and the like,
particularly
for scavenging cerumen (ear wax) and debris attached to said cerumen. In some
embodiments, a hearing aid device or apparatus may refer to any type of
hearing aid, cochlear
implant, or other hearable.
[00358] Referring now to FIG. 59, relative humidity sensor quantization scheme
is
depicted. Quantization curve 5900 has quantized packets 5906 which are sampled
between
one and 20 times per second. A preferred embodiment samples the humidity
sensor 5506 of
HG. 55 and humidity sensor 5606 of HG. 56 ten times (10X) per second. This
sampling rate
provides the optimum accuracy for moisture level detection and measurement_
[00359] As best shown in FIG. 60, a complete relative humidity response curve
6000 is
depicted over time. Humidity response curve 6000 is comprised of quantized
packets 5906
of FIG. 59. In some embodiments, electronics control board 610 in HG. 29
provides inter-
integrated control sampling and initiates and enables calculation of the total
moisture given
off by electronic device being dried using the summation operation 6006 in
FIG. 60. In this
manner, the total amount of moisture (e.g., amount of moisture remaining in
the hearing aid
and/or low-pressure chamber, or amount of moisture removed from the hearing
aid and/or
low-pressure chamber, etc.) can be calculated in the most accurate fashion.
[00360] In some embodiments, a miniature metalized chamber is provided for
hearables
with 5in3 ¨ 25in3 optimum size. The metalized chamber minimizes the desorption
of water in
or from the chamber. The metalized chamber further aids in the UV reflectivity
of chamber
disinfection. Hold down straps ensure lightweight hearable is in contact with
platen heater.
The humidity sensor is a high-speed humidity sensor, i.e., minimum 1 second
response time
to retain >63% humidity measurement. Because the embodiments described herein
are
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evaporating/boiling a very minute amount of water off very quickly, there is a
need for a
humidity sensor that has a response time of 1 second or less and has at least
63% of the
humidity that was sampled available in a digital register for mkrocontroller
action. The
humidity sensor senses or samples 10 times per second to yield an accurate
moisture
content/humidity measurement. The humidity sensor is thermally isolated for
the most
accurate moisture content/humidity measurement (0 C - 15 C range of thermal
isolation
ideal). Additionally, UV germicidal lights are provided for disinfecting
hearing aid located in
the low-pressure chamber. In some embodiments, integrated wired or wireless
charging is
provided in the dryer. In some embodiments, the evacuation pump power has a
range of 0.5
watts to 500 watts. In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaning wand can be
pneumatically
switched on and off.
[00361]
Referring now to FIG. 61, a
receiver in the canal (RIC) hearing aid 6100 is
depicted with power interrupting circuitry 6101, which is utilized to
connect/disconnect
power from said RIC hearing aid 6100, housed internally to RIC hearing aid
6100. Power
interrupting circuitry 6101 comprises hearing aid controller 6102, hearing aid
communication
module 6104, and hearing aid humidity sensor 6106. Hearing aid controller 6102
has
firmware installed in non-volatile memory that measures hearing aid humidity
sensor 6106
and controls the connection/disconnection of power using power interrupting
circuitry 6101
based on humidity data (e.g., predetermined rates of change of humidity
levels). The hearing
aid communication module can be Wi-H, Bluetooth Low Energy, cellular, or
implementing a
hardwired technique using a USB connector, or any other type of communication
module.
Receiver 6108 has receiver humidity sensor 6110 incorporated into receiver
case 6110.
Receiver humidity sensor 6110 communicates with hearing aid controller 6102
using a serial
Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus embedded into receiver tube 6112. Although
a RIC hearing
aid is depicted, humidity sensor(s) could be embedded into any form of hearing
aid.
[00362]
As best shown in FIG. 62, smart
mobile device (e.g., phone) application 6200
being executed on a mobile device interfaces with hearing aid communication
module 6104
via communication signals. Smart phone application 6200 has user selectable
fields to
monitor receiver moisture level 6202 (e.g., how much moisture is present, how
much
moisture is removed etc.), hearing aid body moisture level 6204 (e.g., how
much moisture is
present, how much moisture is removed, etc.), dryer status 6206 (e.g., power
source level,
whether it is activated, whether it is currently drying a device, etc.), and
exit field 6208.
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[00363]
Referring now to FIG. 63, RIC
hearing aid 6100 is shown being dried in a
portable electronic drying apparatus. Portable electronic drying apparatus
provides drying
status (e.g., associated with a drying apparatus, hearing aid device, etc.)
and overall process
results to enterprise system 6302 which houses or is in communication with
hearing aid
database registration data and provides updates to smart phone application
6200 being
executed on a mobile device. Any of the embodiments described in this
disclosure or in any
material incorporated by reference in this disclosure may be used in
combination. Any of the
features or elements or processes applicable to electronic devices described
in this disclosure
are also applicable to any type of hearing aid devices.
[00364] In some embodiments, a humidity measurement is provided within a
hearing aid
device (also referred to as bearable). In some embodiments, a humidity
measurement is
provided within at least one of the body and receiver (speaker) of the
hearable. The humidity
measurement may be wirelessly transmitted to another computing device (e.g., a
mobile
device, a server, etc.). In some embodiments, an application may be provided
on the
computing device to monitor humidity levels in the hearable and/or the low-
pressure chamber
in which the hearable is location. In some embodiments, the application may
execute
operations to calculate an amount of moisture removed and/or remaining from or
in the
hearable and/or the low-pressure chamber. In some embodiments, the application
may
determine or calculate an amount of elapsed drying time and/or an amount of
time until the
bearable becomes dry and operational. In some embodiments, the application
alerts the user
when the drying operation is completed. In some embodiments, the application
interfaces
with a server in communication with a dryer database that stores moisture
levels (e.g., over a
period of time) associated with the hearing aid device.
[00365]
In some embodiments, an apparatus
is provided for drying an electronic device or
non-electronic object. Referring now to HG. 64, drying apparatus 5400 (which
may
comprise any features described in any of the embodiments in this disclosure)
is depicted
with substantially round or cylindrical vacuum chamber 5402 or low-pressure
chamber 5402
(which houses an electronic device or a non-electronic device which needs to
be dried and/or
sanitized) with high volume vacuum pump 400 and high vacuum pump 410, in
series with
each other, and air valve 6409. In some embodiments, high volume low vacuum
pump 400
and high vacuum low volume vacuum pump 400 may be fabricated in one single
four-headed
pump. In other embodiments, these pumps may be fabricated separately. In some
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embodiments, ozone generator 6401 is comprised of substantially airtight
polymeric
enclosure 6402, high voltage power supply 6405, low voltage power supply 6404,
and ozone
producing electrode set 6406. In-line (e.g., pneumatically in-line) ozone
sensor 6408 samples
ozone within the apparatus 5400 and/or the chamber 5402 which follows air path
6410. In
some embodiments, the ozone generator may be replaced with a generator that
generates
another gas or a liquid or a mix of gas and liquid. In preferred embodiments,
pneumatically
in-line ozone sensor 6408 is mounted inside substantially round or cylindrical
vacuum
chamber 5401
[00366] In some embodiments, the low voltage supply power 6404 is at least 4
volts and
no more than 24 volts. In some embodiments, high voltage power supply 6405 is
comprised
of an electronic chopper/switcher such that it produces 3KV to 20KV of static
voltage onto
ozone producing electrode set 6406. In some embodiments, the ozone gas
produced is at
least 0.1 ppm and less than or equal to 100 ppm for adequate biological marker
amelioration.
In other embodiments, the vacuum chamber 5402 is subjected to partial vacuum
and
establishes a negative pressure system to minimize any ozone exposure to human
users of the
apparatus 5400. Any of the features described elsewhere in this disclosure may
be combined
or applied to the apparatuses or processes described in any of the figures,
including FIG. 64
and FIG. 65. Any embodiments described in this disclosure may be combined with
any other
embodiments in this disclosure.
[00367]
Referring now to FIG, 65, a graphical timing diagram
depicts the various phases
of the exemplary drying apparatus 5400 of FIG. 64 and the interaction of the
ozone generator
6401 during the sanitization phase of the process (e.g., which may occur at
least one of
before, during, or after the drying process described in this disclosure).
During cyclical
vacuum drying, high volume low vacuum pump 400 and low volume high vacuum pump
410
are powered ON, while air valve 6409 (or atmospheric valve) is toggled OFF and
ON
producing rapid vaporization of water within electronic device located in the
chamber 5402.
In some embodiments, post vacuum drying, ozone generator 6401 is powered ON
through
low voltage power supply 6404 and produces ozone gas with high voltage power
supply 6405
across ozone producing electrodes 6406. Negative chamber pressure in the
chamber 5402
(produced from high volume vacuum pump 400 and high vacuum pump 410 which are
connected to the chamber 5402) pulls ozone gas produced through enclosure
6402, thereby
flooding the sealed vacuum chamber 5402 and envelopes any devices within
vacuum
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chamber 5402. The negative chamber pressure is produced due to a low valve
flow
coefficient (Cv) being produced with a small valve (e.g., the release valve
connected to the
low-pressure chamber). This low Cv produces a flow restriction which causes a
partial flow
restriction which causes a partial vacuum as the vacuum pumps work to provide
maximum
5 vacuum. Ozone sensor 6408 senses the ppm level of the ozone
gas produced and when a
desired level is achieved (e.g., 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm), the air valve 6409
closes, the high
volume vacuum pump 400 and high vacuum pump 410 turn off, and the ozone gas
stays
present under negative pressure in vacuum chamber 5402.
[00368] In some embodiments, the control system
initiates opening/closing of the valve
10 and activation/deactivation of the gas generator (e.g., the
ozone generator) such that the gas
generator generates or stops generation of the gas. While these actions by the
control system
may be independent, they can be tied together to achieve FIG. 65 with the ppm
level of the
gas controlled by information sensed by the gas sensor and communicated back
to the control
system or an external computing system that may be in communication with the
control
15 system.
[00369] In some embodiments, an apparatus and associated firmware and apps can
be
provided for just sanitizing an electronic device (without drying) in the
apparatus described
herein.
[00370] In some embodiments, once a sanitization cycle
is completed, and the low-
20 pressure chamber and any device inside the low-pressure
chamber is under a vacuum/partial
vacuum, the opening of the air valve (connected to the low-pressure chamber)
will cause
pressure equalization and will pull in the gas (e.g., ozone in the low-
pressure chamber) to the
inside of the device which is going from low pressure to a higher pressure.
[00371] In some embodiments, near simultaneous drying
and sanitizing may be provided.
25 In some embodiments, the sanitizing gas may not interfere
with determination of humidity-
related information in the low-pressure chamber. In some embodiments, turning
on the gas
generator such that sanitizing gas such as ozone inundates the chamber when
the air valve is
opened can effectively kill any bacteria or virus residing inside or outside
the electronic
device placed in the chamber.
30 [00372] Ozone has a half-life that is about 3 days at
room temperature air (2(C) but
decreases dramatically (to a few minutes) if the ozone is bubbled through
water and
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undergoes an advanced oxidation process. In some embodiments, the apparatus
here
generates so little ozone to achieve 0.3 ppm (recognized concentration that
kills SARs et al)
in our chamber, and once the chamber is opened in a 10' x 10' x 8' room, the
actual ozone
concentration is about ppb (parts per billion), which will generally not harm
any humans in
the immediate environment. However, to make the apparatus safer, the apparatus
may
include a gas bubbler, wherein the sanitizing gas (e.g., ozone) is bubbled
through water to
advance the oxidation process and reduce the half-life of the sanitizing gas.
Additionally,
since output from the vacuum pumps described herein is pressurized air (it is
essentially a
weak compressor), easy and effective bubbling through water can be achieved
using the
pressurized air.
[00373] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises: a low-
pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for
placement of an
electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the low-pressure
chamber; and at least one control system connected to the evacuation pump and
to the heater,
the at least one control system controlling removal of moisture from the
electronic device by
controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure
chamber, and
controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device,
wherein the apparatus
is in communication with a computing device, wherein the computing device
executes a
computing application for at least one of receiving, processing, or
transmitting data
associated with at least one of the electronic device or the apparatus.
[00374] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises: a low-
pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for
placement of an
electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior, an
evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to
the low-
pressure chamber; at least one control system connected to the evacuation pump
and to the
heater, the at least one control system controlling removal of moisture from
the electronic
device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-
pressure
chamber, and controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic
device; and a
computing device, wherein the computing device is either located in the
apparatus or is
located external to the apparatus, wherein the computing device executes
instructions for at
least one of receiving, processing, or transmitting data associated with at
least one of the
apparatus, the electronic device, or a user of the electronic device.
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[00375] In some embodiments, the computing device accesses a drying database,
and
initiates searching of the drying database for a record associated with the
electronic device.
[00376] In some embodiments, the computing device, in response to finding the
record for
the electronic device in the drying database, initiates a computing operation
for registering
additional electronic devices associated with the electronic device.
[00377] In some embodiments, the computing device, in response to finding the
record for
the electronic device in the drying database, generates a token, or receives
or extracts a token
from a second computing device or the drying database.
[00378] In some embodiments, the token is uniquely associated with at least
one of the
computing device, the record, the drying database, the apparatus, the
electronic device, or a
user of the electronic device.
[00379] In some embodiments, a location associated with the electronic device,
the
computing device, or the apparatus is determined to be an approved location
for executing a
drying operation for the electronic device.
[00380] In some embodiments, the location is determined to be the approved
location by at
least one of the computing device or the apparatus based on referencing
location-related
information in the drying database or an informational database, and
determining whether the
location corresponds with the location-related information.
[00381] In some embodiments, the location-related information is associated
with the
record.
[00382] In some embodiments, the token is communicated to the apparatus such
that the
apparatus or a user of the apparatus initiates a drying operation for the
electronic device
based on receipt of the token or based on successful processing of the token.
[00383] In some embodiments, the computing device initiates transmitting of
information
associated with the drying operation to the drying database.
[00384] In some embodiments, the computing device is identified based on
referencing or
accessing metadata associated with a database comprising information
associated with one or
more computing devices.
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[00385] In some embodiments, the computing device is associated with a
database
associated with the apparatus or a location of the apparatus, the location
being associated
with or comprising at least one of a physical location, a network location, a
merchant, or an
entity.
[00386] In some embodiments, identification information associated with the
computing
device is stored in a database.
[00387] In some embodiments, the database stores information associated with
computing
devices registered with a location, a network, or an entity associated with
the apparatus.
[00388] In some embodiments, the database stores information associated with
electronic
devices registered with a location, a network, or an entity associated with
the apparatus, or
registered by the computing device.
[00389] In some embodiments, the data comprises at least one of a manufacturer
of the
electronic device or a model of the electronic device.
[00390] In some embodiments, the data is used to determine post-drying
operability of
different types of electronic devices.
[00391] In some embodiments, another apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises: a
low-pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured
for placement of
an electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior; an
evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to
the low-
pressure chamber; at least one control system connected to the evacuation pump
and to the
heater, the at least one control system controlling removal of moisture from
the electronic
device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-
pressure
chamber, and controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic
device; a WiFi
connection device; and a cellular connection device.
[00392] In some embodiments, the WiFi connection device operates in Access
Point mode.
[00393] In some embodiments, the WiFi connection device operates in WiFi
Direct mode.
[00394] In some embodiments, the apparatus sends or receives, using the WiFi
connection
device, data from a mobile computing device, wherein the mobile computing
device executes
an electronic device drying registration application.
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[00395] In some embodiments, the cellular connection device operates in at
least one of
LTE CAT1, LTE CAT Ml, or 26 cellular communication mode.
[00396] In some embodiments, the apparatus sends or receives, using the
cellular
connection device, data from an enterprise system, the enterprise system
associated with a
drying database.
[00397] In some embodiments, the apparatus establishes machine-to-machine
communication with an enterprise system associated with a drying database.
[00398] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a host
controller, and
wherein the host controller communicates with the WiFi connection device and
the cellular
connection device via a universal asynchronous receive transmit (UART) bus.
[00399] In some embodiments, the host controller is separate from the at least
one control
system or is part of the at least one control system.
[00400] In some embodiments, the UART bus can be configured in either serial
peripheral
interface (SPI) mode or inter-integrated communication (I2C) mode.
[00401] In some embodiments, another apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises: a
low-pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured
for placement of
an electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior; an
evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to
the low-
pressure chamber; at least one control system connected to the evacuation pump
and the
heater, the at least one control system controlling removal of moisture from
the electronic
device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-
pressure
chamber, and controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic
device; a first
connection device; and a second connection device, wherein the at least one
control system is
also connected to the first connection device and a second connection device,
wherein the at
least one control system is also connected to the first connection device and
a second
connection device, wherein the apparatus sends first data to, using the first
connection device,
or receives second data from, using the first connection device, a database
system, the
database system associated with a drying database, and wherein the apparatus
sends third data
to, using the second connection device, or receives fourth data from, using
the second
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connection device, a computing device, wherein the computing device executes
an electronic
device drying registration application.
[00402] In some embodiments, the apparatus uses HTTP commands to communicate
with
the database system.
5 [00403] In some embodiments, the apparatus communicates with the database
system,
using the first connection device, and the computing device, using the second
connection
device, substantially simultaneously.
[00404] In some embodiments, the first connection device and the second
communication
device may be the same communication device.
10 [00405] In some embodiments, another apparatus is provided.
The apparatus comprises: a
low-pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured
for placement of
an electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior; an
evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to
the low-
pressure chamber; at least one control system connected to the evacuation pump
and the
15 heater, the at least one control system controlling removal
of moisture from the electronic
device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-
pressure
chamber, and controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic
device; and at
least one connection device, wherein the at least one control system is also
connected to the
at least one connection device, wherein the apparatus sends first data to,
using the at least one
20 connection device, or receives second data from, using the
at least one connection device, a
database system, the database system associated with a drying database, and
wherein the
apparatus sends third data to, using the at least one connection device, or
receives fourth data
from, using the at least one connection device, a computing device, wherein
the computing
device executes an electronic device drying registration application.
25 [00406] In some embodiments, the computing device accesses a drying
database, and
initiates searching of the drying database for a record associated with the
electronic device.
[00407] In some embodiments, the computing device, in response to finding the
record for
the electronic device in the drying database, initiates a computing operation
for registering
additional electronic devices associated with the electronic device.
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[00408] In some embodiments, the computing device, in response to finding the
record for
the electronic device in the drying database, generates a token, or receives
or extracts a token
from a second computing device or the drying database.
[00409] In some embodiments, the token is uniquely associated with at least
one of the
computing device, the record, the drying database, the apparatus, or the
electronic device.
[00410] In some embodiments, a location associated with the electronic device,
the
computing device, or the apparatus is determined to be an approved location
for executing a
drying operation for the electronic device.
[00411] In some embodiments, the location is determined to be the approved
location by at
least one of the computing device or the apparatus based on referencing
location-related
information in the drying database or an informational database, and
determining whether the
location corresponds with the location-related information.
[00412] In some embodiments, the location-related information is associated
with the
record.
[00413] In some embodiments, the token is communicated to the apparatus such
that the
apparatus initiates a drying operation for the electronic device based on
receipt of the token
or based on successfully processing the token.
[00414] In some embodiments, the computing device initiates transmitting of
information
associated with the drying operation to the drying database.
[00415] In some embodiments, the computing device is identified based on
referencing
metadata associated with a database comprising information associated with one
or more
computing devices.
[00416] In some embodiments, the computing device is associated with a
database
associated with the apparatus or a location of the apparatus, the location
being associated
with or comprising at least one of a physical location, a network location, a
merchant, or an
entity.
[00417] In some embodiments, identification information associated with the
computing
device is stored in a database.
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[00418] In some embodiments, the database stores information associated with
computing
devices registered with a location, a network, or an entity associated with
apparatus.
[00419] In some embodiments, the database stores information associated with
electronic
devices registered with a location, a network, or an entity associated with
apparatus, or
registered by the computing device.
[00420] In some embodiments, the data comprises at least one of a manufacturer
of the
electronic device or a model of the electronic device.
[00421] In some embodiments, the data is used to determine post-drying
operability of
different types of electronic devices.
[00422] In some embodiments, the computing device comprises a mobile computing
device.
[00423] In some embodiments, the mobile computing device comprises a tablet
computing
device.
[00424] In some embodiments, the computing device is remotely located from the
apparatus.
[00425] In some embodiments, the computing device is integrated into the
apparatus.
[00426] In some embodiments, the computing application comprises an electronic
device
drying application.
[00427] In some embodiments, the data is received from the apparatus or the
electronic
device, and wherein the data comprises charging regulation data for the
electronic device, the
charging regulation data for determining when the electronic device is
operable for use.
[00428] In some embodiments, the electronic device is rendered at least
partially inoperable
due to presence of moisture in the electronic device.
[00429] In some embodiments, the data is received from the apparatus or the
electronic
device, and wherein the data is associated with status of removal of the
moisture from the
electronic device.
[00430] In some embodiments, the data is received from the apparatus or the
electronic
device, and wherein the data is associated with an amount of moisture removed
from the
electronic device.
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[00431] In some embodiments, the data is received from the apparatus or the
electronic
device, and wherein the data is associated with an amount of moisture
remaining in the
electronic device.
[00432] In some embodiments, the data is received from the apparatus or the
electronic
device, and wherein the data is associated with an amount of elapsed time
associated with
removal of the moisture from the electronic device.
[00433] In some embodiments, the data is received from the apparatus or the
electronic
device, and wherein the data is associated with an amount of remaining time
until the
electronic device is determined to be dry.
[00434] In some embodiments, another method is provided. The method comprises
executing, using a computing device, an electronic device drying application;
capturing,
using the computing device, analytic data associated with an electronic
device, the electronic
device being rendered at least partially inoperable due to presence of
moisture in the
electronic device; transmitting, using the computing device, the analytic data
to a database;
establishing, using the computing device, wireless communication with an
electronic device
dryer, the electronic device dryer being used for drying the electronic
device; receiving, using
the computing device, information associated with an amount of moisture
removed from the
electronic device; receiving, using the computing device, charging regulation
information for
the electronic device, the charging regulation information for determining
when the electronic
device is operable for use.
[00435] In some embodiments, the amount of moisture removed from the
electronic device
is determined based on humidity values (e.g., relative humidity values)
determined by a
humidity sensor in the electronic device dryer. In some embodiments, when the
amount of
moisture removed from the electronic device is equal to or greater than a
threshold level, the
electronic device is ready to be charged again. In some embodiments, the
electronic device
dryer may also comprise a charging station such that the electronic device can
be charged
using a connection between the electronic device and the charging station.
[00436] In some embodiments, the charging regulation comprises a slope of a
charging
regulation curve. If the slope of the charging regulation curve during the
initial charging
period is a negative slope, the device is operable for use. If the slope of
the charging
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regulation curve during the initial charging period is a constant slope, the
device is inoperable
for use.
[00437] In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, using the
computing device, information associated with completion of moisture removal
from the
electronic device_
[00438] In some embodiments, the analytic data comprises at least one of how
long the
electronic device has been wet, if the device was plugged in after it got wet,
a model or
manufacturer of the device, or how the device got wet.
[00439] In some embodiments, the method comprises accessing, using a computing
device,
a drying database; searching, using the computing device and based on a search
parameter,
the drying database for a record associated with an electronic device; in
response to finding
the record in the drying database, receiving, using the computing device,
selection of an
option to dry the electronic device; establishing, using the computing device,
wireless
communication with an electronic device dryer, wherein the electronic device
is placed in the
electronic device dryer; receiving, from the electronic device dryer, at least
one of
information associated with an amount of moisture in the electronic device or
information
associated with an amount of time associated with drying the electronic
device.
[00440] In some embodiments, the method further comprises in response to
finding the
record in the drying database, determining the electronic device has remaining
drying
attempts out of a certain number of allowable drying attempts.
[00441] In some embodiments, information associated with the electronic device
or a user
of the electronic device was previously registered in the drying database.
[00442] In some embodiments, the method further comprises in response to not
finding a
record in the drying database for the electronic device, prompting for entry
of information to
determine whether the electronic device is a registered electronic device.
[00443] In some embodiments, the method further comprises in response to not
finding a
record in the drying database for the electronic device, creating a computing
transaction for
enabling drying of the electronic device in the electronic device dryer.
[00444] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises: a low-
pressure chamber having an interior configured for placement of an electronic
device in the
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interior and removal of the electronic device from the interior; an evacuation
pump connected
to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to the low-pressure chamber;
and at least
one control system connected to the evacuation pump and the heater, the at
least one control
system controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by
controlling the
5 evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber, and
controlling
operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device.
[00445] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a location-
determining
system for determining network location information or physical location
information
associated with at least one of the apparatus or the electronic device.
10 [00446] In some embodiments, the location-determining system comprises a
Global
Positioning System (CPS).
[00447] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a
telecommunication device
and an audio system.
[00448] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a user can place
or receive
15 a call using the cellular and device and the audio system.
[00449] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises the
telecommunication
device comprises at least one of a cellular system or a Wi-Fi system.
[00450] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one
connection
device.
20 [00451]
In some embodiments, the
apparatus sends first data to, using the at least one
connection device, or receives second data from, using the at least one
connection device, a
database system, the database system associated with a database, and wherein
the apparatus
sends third data to, using the at least one connection device, or receives
fourth data from,
using the at least one connection device, a computing device, wherein the
computing device
25 executes an electronic device drying application.
[00452]
In some embodiments, the at least
one connection device comprises a first
connection device and a second connection device, and wherein the apparatus:
sends the first
data, to the database system, using the first connection device; or receives
the second data,
from the database system, using the first connection device; and sends the
third data, to the
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computing device, using the second connection device; or receives the fourth
data, from a
computing device, using the second connection device.
[00453] In some embodiments, the heater provides heat
to the electronic device via one or
more contoured surfaces at least partially contacting the electronic device.
[00454] In some embodiments, a total surface area associated with the one or
more
contoured surfaces contacting the electronic device is approximately 1.5
square inches.
[00455] In some embodiments, the heater comprises a
thennofoil resistance heater.
[00456] In some embodiments, the thermofoil resistance heater is mounted on a
heater
substrate.
[00457] In some embodiments, the control system is further configured for
determining
whether to stop or continue removing the moisture from the electronic device
based on data
associated with at least one of the electronic device or the low-pressure
chamber.
[00458] In some embodiments, the apparatus further
comprises a humidity sensor, and
wherein the data comprises humidity data sensed by the humidity sensor.
[00459] In some embodiments, the data comprises a duration.
[00460] In some embodiments, the heater provides heat
to the electronic device via one or
more contoured surfaces at least partially contacting the electronic device.
[00461] In some embodiments, the interior is shaped by the one or more
contoured
surfaces for fitting the electronic device in the interior.
[00462] In some embodiments, a method is provided comprising: providing a low-
pressure chamber having an interior configured for placement of an electronic
device in the
interior and removal of the electronic device from the interior; connecting an
evacuation
pump to the low-pressure chamber; connecting the low-pressure chamber to a
heater;
connecting at least one control system to the evacuation pump and to the
heater; and
controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by controlling the
evacuation
pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber, and controlling
operation of the
heater to add heat to the electronic device.
[00463] In some embodiments, the method further comprises executing, by a
computing
device, located either in an apparatus or located external to the apparatus,
instructions for at
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least one of receiving, processing, or transmitting data associated with at
least one of the
apparatus, the electronic device, or a user of the electronic device or the
apparatus.
[00464]
In some embodiments, the method
further comprises searching, in a database, for
a record of the at least one of the apparatus, the electronic device, or a
user of the electronic
device_
[00465] In some embodiments, the method further comprises in response to
finding the
record in the database, generating, receiving, or extracting a token from a
second computing
device or the database.
[00466] In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining a
location
associated with the electronic device, the computing device, or the apparatus
is determined to
be an approved location for executing a drying operation for the electronic
device.
[00467] In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting
information
associated with the drying operation to the database.
[00468]
In some embodiments, the method
further comprises heating the electronic device
via one or more contoured surfaces at least partially contacting the
electronic device.
[00469] In some embodiments, the method further comprises heating the
electronic device
via one or more contoured surfaces at least partially contacting the
electronic device.
[00470] In some embodiments, the interior is shaped by the one or more
contoured
surfaces for closely fitting the electronic device in the interior.
[00471] In some embodiments, a method is provided comprising: executing, by a
computing device, located either in an apparatus or located external to the
apparatus,
instructions for at least one of receiving, processing, or transmitting data
associated with at
least one of the apparatus, an electronic device, or a user of the electronic
device or the
apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises: a low-pressure chamber having an
interior
configured for placement of an electronic device in the interior and removal
of the electronic
device from the interior; an evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure
chamber; a
heater connected to the low-pressure chamber; and at least one control system
connected to
the evacuation pump and the heater, the at least one control system
controlling removal of
moisture from the electronic device by controlling the evacuation pump to
decrease pressure
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within the low-pressure chamber, and controlling operation of the heater to
add heat to the
electronic device.
[00472]
In some embodiments, the method
further comprises heating the electronic device
via one or more contoured surfaces at least partially contacting the
electronic device.
[00473] In some embodiments, the interior is shaped by the one or more
contoured
surfaces for fitting the electronic device in the interior.
[00474] In some embodiments, the method further comprises executing, by the
computing
device, an electronic device drying application or an electronic device drying
registration
application.
0 [00475]
In some embodiments, a mobile device (e.g.,
phone, tablet, etc.) is provided that
is configured for executing instructions for at least one of receiving,
processing, or
transmitting data associated with at least one of an apparatus, an electronic
device, or a user
of an electronic device or the apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises: a
low-pressure
chamber having an interior configured for placement of an electronic device in
the interior
and removal of the electronic device from the interior; an evacuation pump
connected to the
low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to the low-pressure chamber; and at
least one
control system connected to the evacuation pump and the heater, the at least
one control
system controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by
controlling the
evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber, and
controlling
operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device_
[00476] In some embodiments, the mobile device is configured for executing an
electronic device drying application or an electronic device drying
registration application.
[00477] In some embodiments, a method is provided. The method comprises
placing a
portable electronic device, that has been rendered at least partially
inoperable due to moisture
intrusion, into a low-pressure chamber; heating the portable electronic
device; decreasing
pressure within the low-pressure chamber, removing moisture from an interior
of the portable
electronic device to an exterior of the portable electronic device; increasing
the pressure
within the low-pressure chamber after the decreasing pressure, the increasing
further
comprising: measuring a humidity within the low-pressure chamber; increasing
the pressure
after the humidity has decreased or after a rate of change of the humidity has
decreased;
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equalizing the pressure within the low-pressure chamber with pressure outside
the low-
pressure chamber; and removing the portable electronic device from the low-
pressure
chamber.
[00478] In some embodiments, the humidity comprises relative or absolute
humidity.
[00479] In some embodiments, the increasing the pressure after the humidity
has decreased
or after a rate of change of the humidity has decreased further comprises
increasing the
pressure after the humidity has decreased and the rate of change of the
humidity has
decreased.
[00480] In some embodiments, the method further comprises detecting when an
amount of
moisture has been removed from the portable electronic device.
[00481] In some embodiments, the decreasing pressure and increasing the
pressure are
repeated sequentially before the removing the portable electronic device.
[00482] In some embodiments, the method further comprises controlling the
repeated
decreasing pressure and increasing the pressure according to at least one
predetermined
criterion.
[00483] In some embodiments, the method further comprises detecting when an
amount of
moisture has been removed from the portable electronic device; and stopping
the repeated
decreasing pressure and increasing the pressure after the detecting.
[00484] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises
a low-
pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for
placement of an
electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior, an
evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to
the low-
pressure chamber; and a first controller connected to the evacuation pump and
a second
controller connected to the heater, the first controller controlling removal
of moisture from
the electronic device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure
within the low-
pressure chamber, and the second controller controlling operation of the
heater to add heat to
the electronic device.
[00485] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises
a low-
pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for
placement of an
electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior, an
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evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to
the low-
pressure chamber, and a controller connected to the evacuation pump and to the
heater, the
controller controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by
controlling the
evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber and
controlling
5 operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device.
[00486] In some embodiments, the controller connected to the evacuation pump
and to the
heater comprises either a single controller connected to the evacuation pump
and to the
heater, or a first controller connected to the evacuation pump and a second
controller
connected to the heater.
10 [00487] In some embodiments, the controller controls the evacuation pump
to decrease the
pressure within the low-pressure chamber multiple times, and wherein the
pressure within the
low-pressure chamber increases between successive decreases in the pressure
within the low-
pressure chamber.
[00488] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one of:
a pressure
15 sensor connected to the low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein
the controller
controls the evacuation pump to control the pressure within the low-pressure
chamber based
at least in part on a signal received from the pressure sensor, a temperature
sensor connected
to the heater or the low-pressure chamber, and the controller, wherein the
controller controls
the heater to control temperature associated with the heater or the low-
pressure chamber
20 based at least in part on a signal received from the temperature sensor;
a humidity sensor
connected to the low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the
controller controls the
evacuation pump to control the pressure within the low-pressure chamber based
at least in
part on a signal received from the humidity sensor; a valve connected to the
low-pressure
chamber and the controller, wherein the pressure within the low-pressure
chamber increases
25 between successive decreases in the pressure at least in part due to the
controller controlling
the valve to change the pressure; a sterilizing member connected to the low-
pressure
chamber, the sterilizing member being configured to kill germs associated with
the electronic
device; or a gas injector configured for introducing a gas into an interior of
the electronic
device.
30 [00489] In some embodiments, the heater comprises a platen with which the
electronic
device is in direct or indirect contact during removal of moisture from the
electronic device.
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[00490] In some embodiments, the controller controls the evacuation pump to
stop
decreasing the pressure within the low-pressure chamber when a humidity in the
low-pressure
chamber decreases, or when a rate at which the humidity in the low-pressure
chamber
changes decreases or is approximately zero.
[00491] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one of:
a humidity
sensor connected to the low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the
controller
controls the evacuation pump to control the pressure within the low-pressure
chamber based
at least in part on a signal received from the humidity sensor, wherein the
humidity sensor
detects maximum and minimum values of the humidity as the evacuation pump
decreases the
pressure within the low-pressure chamber multiple times, and wherein the
controller
determines that the electronic device is sufficiently dry when a difference
between successive
maximum and minimum humidity values is equal to or less than a value; or a
valve connected
to the low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the pressure within
the low-pressure
chamber increases between successive decreases in the pressure within the low-
pressure
chamber at least in part due to the controller controlling the valve to
increase the pressure
within the low-pressure chamber, wherein the controller at least one of:
controls the valve to
increase the pressure within the low-pressure chamber at approximately the
same time the
controller controls the evacuation pump to stop decreasing the pressure within
the low-
pressure chamber; or controls the valve to equalize pressure between the
interior of the low-
pressure chamber and an outside of the low-pressure chamber.
[00492] In some embodiments, the heater is in indirect contact, via one or
conductive
mediums, with a surface of the electronic device.
[00493] In some embodiments, the low-pressure chamber is manufactured from
rigid thin-
walled plastic and comprises substantially vertical ribs, or at least a
portion of the low-
pressure chamber is covered with a substantially transparent cover.
[00494] In some embodiments, the low-pressure chamber comprises at least one
of: an
electrical connector to transmit electrical signals in or out of the low-
pressure chamber, or a
charging connector for charging the electronic device.
[00495] In some embodiments, the low-pressure chamber comprises a connection
for
charging the electronic device once the device is determined to be
sufficiently dry.
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[00496] In some embodiments, at least one of the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
configured as a collapsible body or space that substantially forms around the
electronic
device.
[00497] In some embodiments, at least one of a humidity sensor, a pressure
sensor, or a
temperature sensor is integrated with or connected to the collapsible body or
space, or the
collapsible body or space is comprised of, formed with, integrated with, or
connected to
conductive elements or devices providing heat transfer to the electronic
device inside the
collapsible body or space.
[00498] In some embodiments, the heater or a heating surface connected to the
heater
comprises surface mount (SMT) resistors mounted on a printed circuit board and
are at least
partially covered with thermally conductive silicone.
[00499] In some embodiments, a surface either of the heater or connected to
the heater is
modifiable to at least partially conform to a shape of the electronic device
placed in the low-
pressure chamber.
[00500] In some embodiments, the evacuation pump is comprised of at least two
pumps in
series, or wherein the evacuation pump comprises at least one volume pump and
at least one
vacuum pump in series.
[00501] In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a low-pressure chamber
defining an
interior and having the interior configured for placement of an electronic
device in the
interior and removal of the electronic device from the interior; an evacuation
pump connected
to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to the low-pressure chamber,
the heater
providing heat, via conduction through one or more contoured surfaces, to the
electronic
device; and one or more controllers connected to the evacuation pump and to
the heater, the
one or more controllers controlling removal of moisture from the electronic
device based on
controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure
chamber and
controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device.
[00502] In some embodiments, the heater comprises a resistance heater, or the
interior is
sized, by the one or more contoured surfaces, for the electronic device in the
interior.
[00503] In some embodiments, the interior is shaped by the one or more
contoured surfaces
for substantially closely fitting the electronic device in the interior.
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[00504] In some embodiments, the one or more controllers connected to the
evacuation
pump and to the heater comprises either a single controller connected to the
evacuation pump
and to the heater, or a first controller connected to the evacuation pump and
a second
controller connected to the heater.
[00505] In some embodiments, at least one of: the electronic device is placed
on a resistive
heating surface, or the apparatus further comprises a door hingedly connected
to at least one
of the low-pressure chamber or the interior.
[00506] In some embodiments, the controller is comprised in or comprises a
power and
control system, the controller being configured to at least one of: control a
valve comprised in
the apparatus for modifying pressure in the low-pressure chamber in response
to detection of
a first control event, or stop a drying operation or cycle in response to
detection of a second
control event.
[00507] In some embodiments, the controller connected to the evacuation pump
and to the
heater comprises a single controller connected to the evacuation pump and to
the heater.
[00508] In some embodiments, the controller connected to the evacuation pump
and to the
heater comprises a first controller connected to the evacuation pump and a
second controller
connected to the heater.
[00509] In some embodiments, the controller controls the evacuation pump to
decrease the
pressure within the low-pressure chamber multiple times.
[00510] In some embodiments, the pressure within the low-pressure chamber
increases
between successive decreases in the pressure within the low-pressure chamber.
[00511] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a pressure sensor
connected to the
low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the controller controls the
evacuation pump
to control the pressure within the low-pressure chamber based at least in part
on a signal
received from the pressure sensor.
[00512] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a temperature sensor
connected to
the heater or a heating surface associated with the heater or the low-pressure
chamber or the
interior, and the controller, wherein the controller controls the heater to
control a temperature
associated with the heater or the heating surface associated with the heater
or the low-
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pressure chamber or the interior based at least in part on a signal received
from the
temperature sensor.
[00513] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a humidity sensor
connected to the
low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the controller controls the
evacuation pump
to control the pressure within the low-pressure chamber based at least in part
on a signal
received from the humidity sensor.
[00514] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a valve connected to the
low-
pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the pressure within the low-
pressure chamber
increases between successive decreases in the pressure within the low-pressure
chamber at
least in part due to the controller controlling the valve to change the
pressure within the low-
pressure chamber.
[00515] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a sterilizing member
connected to
the low-pressure chamber, the sterilizing member being configured to kill
germs associated
with the electronic device.
[00516] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a gas injector configured
for
introducing a gas into an interior of the electronic device.
[00517] In some embodiments, the heater comprises a platen with which the
electronic
device is in direct contact during removal of moisture from the electronic
device.
[00518] In some embodiments, the controller controls the evacuation pump to
stop
decreasing the pressure within the low-pressure chamber when a humidity in the
low-pressure
chamber decreases.
[00519] In some embodiments, the controller controls the evacuation pump to
stop
decreasing the pressure within the low-pressure chamber when a rate at which a
humidity in
the low-pressure chamber changes decreases or is approximately zero.
[00520] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a humidity sensor
connected to the
low-pressure chamber and the controller.
[00521] In some embodiments, the controller controls the evacuation pump to
control the
pressure within the low-pressure chamber based at least in part on a signal
received from the
humidity sensor.
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[00522] In some embodiments, the humidity sensor detects maximum and minimum
values
of a humidity in the low-pressure chamber as the evacuation pump decreases the
pressure
within the low-pressure chamber multiple times.
[00523] In some embodiments, the controller determines that the electronic
device is
5 sufficiently dry when a difference between successive maximum and minimum
humidity
values is equal to or less than a value.
[00524] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a valve connected to the
low-
pressure chamber and the controller.
[00525] In some embodiments, the pressure within the low-pressure chamber
increases
10 between successive decreases in the pressure within the low-
pressure chamber at least in part
due to the controller controlling the valve to increase the pressure within
the low-pressure
chamber.
[00526] In some embodiments, the controller controls the valve to increase the
pressure
within the low-pressure chamber at approximately the same time the controller
controls the
15 evacuation pump to stop decreasing the pressure within the
low-pressure chamber.
[00527] In some embodiments, the controller controls the valve to equalize
pressure
between the interior of the low-pressure chamber and an outside or exterior of
the low-
pressure chamber.
[00528] In some embodiments, a heating surface associated with or comprised in
the heater
20 is in indirect contact, via one or conductive mediums, with
a surface of the electronic device.
[00529] In some embodiments, the low-pressure chamber is manufactured from
substantially rigid thin-walled plastic and comprises substantially vertical
ribs.
[00530] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the low-pressure chamber is
covered
with a substantially transparent cover.
25 [00531] In some embodiments, the low-pressure chamber
comprises an electrical connector
to transmit electrical signals in or out of the low-pressure chamber.
[00532] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a charging
connector for
charging the electronic device.
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[00533] In some embodiments, the low-pressure chamber comprises a connection
for
charging the electronic device once the device is determined to be
sufficiently dry.
[00534] In some embodiments, at least one of the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
configured as a collapsible body that substantially forms around the
electronic device.
[00535] In some embodiments, at least one of a humidity sensor, a pressure
sensor, or a
temperature sensor is integrated with or connected to the collapsible body.
[00536] In some embodiments, the collapsible body is comprised of, formed
with,
integrated with, or connected to conductive elements or devices providing heat
transfer to the
electronic device inside the collapsible body.
[00537] In some embodiments, at least one of the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
configured as a collapsible space that substantially forms around the
electronic device.
[00538] In some embodiments, at least one of a humidity sensor, a pressure
sensor, or a
temperature sensor is integrated with or connected to the collapsible space.
[00539] In some embodiments, the collapsible space is comprised of, formed
with,
integrated with, or connected to conductive elements or devices providing heat
transfer to the
electronic device inside the collapsible space.
[00540] In some embodiments, the collapsible body comprises a pouch.
[00541] In some embodiments, at least one of a humidity sensor, a pressure
sensor, or a
temperature sensor are integrated in a plenum pneumatically connected to the
pouch.
[00542] In some embodiments, the pouch is integrated with conductive circuitry
providing
heat transfer to the electronic device comprised in the collapsible pouch.
[00543] In some embodiments, the one or more contoured surfaces substantially
conforms
to a shape of the electronic device.
[00544] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a temperature
sensor
connected to the heater or a heating surface associated with the heater or the
low-pressure
chamber or the interior, and the controller, wherein the controller controls
the heater to
control a temperature associated with the heater or the heating surface
associated with the
heater or the low-pressure chamber or the interior based at least in part on a
second signal
received from the temperature sensor.
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[00545] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a humidity sensor
connected to the low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the
controller at least one
of controls the evacuation pump to control the pressure within the low-
pressure chamber, or
controls the temperature associated with the heater or the heating surface
associated with the
heater or the low-pressure chamber or the interior, based at least in part on
a third signal
received from the humidity sensor.
[00546] In some embodiments, the heater or a heating surface connected to or
comprised in
the heater comprises surface mount (SMT) resistors mounted on a printed
circuit board.
[00547] In some embodiments, the SMT resistors are at least partially covered
with
thermally conductive silicone.
[00548] In some embodiments, the SMT resistors are at least partially covered
with a
staggered airway chamber for gas to be heated while the gas flows over the SMT
resistors.
[00549] In some embodiments, a surface of the heater is modifiable to at least
partially
conform to a shape of the electronic device placed in the low-pressure
chamber.
[00550] In some embodiments, a surface connected to the heater is modifiable
to at least
partially conform to a shape of the electronic device placed in the low-
pressure chamber.
[00551] In some embodiments, the evacuation pump is comprised of at least two
pumps in
series.
[00552] In some embodiments, the at least two pumps comprise at least one
volume pump
and at least one vacuum pump.
[00553] In some embodiments, the electronic device is placed on a resistive
heating surface
connected to or comprised in the heater.
[00554] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a door hingedly
connected
to the low-pressure chamber.
[00555] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a door hingedly
connected
to the interior.
[00556] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a door hingedly
connected
to the low-pressure chamber.
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[00557] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a door hingedly
connected
to the interior.
[00558] In some embodiments, the controller comprises a power and control
system.
[00559] In some embodiments, the controller is comprised in a power and
control system.
[00560] In some embodiments, the controller comprises or is comprised in a
power and
control system, and the electronic device is placed on a resistive heating
surface connected to
or comprised in the heater.
[00561] In some embodiments, the controller initiates control of a valve
comprised in the
apparatus for modifying the pressure in the low-pressure chamber in response
to detection of
a first control event.
[00562] In some embodiments, the controller initiates stopping of a drying
operation or
cycle in response to detection of a control event.
[00563] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control a valve
comprised in
the apparatus for modifying the pressure in the low-pressure chamber in
response to detection
of a first control event.
[00564] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to stop a drying
operation or
cycle in response to detection of a control event.
[00565] In some embodiments, the drying operation or cycle is a next drying
operation or
cycle.
[00566] In some embodiments, the drying operation or cycle is a current drying
operation
or cycle.
[00567] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control a valve
comprised in
the apparatus for modifying the pressure in the low-pressure chamber in
response to detection
of a first control event.
[00568] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to stop a drying
operation or
cycle in response to detection of a control event.
[00569] In some embodiments, the controller is comprised in a power and
control system,
and wherein the electronic device is in contact with a conduction surface
connected to or
comprised in the heater.
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[00570] In some embodiments, the controller comprises a power and control
system, and
wherein the electronic device is in contact with a resistive surface connected
to or comprised
in the heater.
[00571] In some embodiments, the controller is comprised in a power and
control system,
and wherein the controller is configured to determine when an amount of
moisture has been
removed from the electronic device.
[00572] In some embodiments, the controller is comprised in a power and
control system,
and wherein the controller is configured to determine when the electronic
device is
sufficiently dry.
[00573] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control a valve
comprised in
the apparatus for modifying the pressure in the low-pressure chamber in
response to detection
of a first control event.
[00574] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to stop a drying
operation or
cycle in response to detection of a control event, the control event
comprising the
determination that the electronic device is sufficiently dry.
[00575] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to stop a drying
operation or
cycle in response to detection of a control event, the control event causing
the heater or a
heating surface associated with the heater to be powered off.
[00576] In some embodiments, the controller is comprised in a power and
control system,
wherein the controller is configured to control a valve comprised in the
apparatus for
modifying the pressure in the low-pressure chamber in response to detection of
a first control
event.
[00577] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to stop a drying
operation or
cycle in response to detection of a second control event.
[00578] In some embodiments, the controller is comprised in a power and
control system,
wherein the controller is configured to control a valve comprised in the
apparatus for
modifying the pressure in the low-pressure chamber in response to detection of
a first control
event.
[00579] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to stop a drying
operation or
cycle in response to detection of a second control event.
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[00580] In some embodiments, the heater comprises a resistance heater.
[00581] In some embodiments, the interior is sized, by the one or more
contoured surfaces,
for fitting the electronic device in the interior.
[00582] In some embodiments, the one or more controllers connected to the
evacuation
5 pump and to the heater comprises a single controller connected to the
evacuation pump and to
the heater.
[00583] In some embodiments, the one or more controllers connected to the
evacuation
pump and to the heater comprises a first controller connected to the
evacuation pump and a
second controller connected to the heater.
10 [00584] In some embodiments, the humidity comprises relative humidity.
[00585] In some embodiments, the humidity comprises absolute humidity.
[400586] In some embodiments, the increasing the pressure after the humidity
has decreased
or after the rate of change of the humidity has decreased further comprises
increasing the
pressure after the humidity has decreased.
15 [00587] In some embodiments, the increasing the pressure after the
humidity has decreased
or after the rate of change of the humidity has decreased further comprises
increasing the
pressure after the rate of change of the humidity has decreased.
[00588] In some embodiments, the portable electronic device is selected from a
group
consisting of a cell phone, a digital music player, a watch, a pager, a
camera, and a portable
20 computer.
[00589] In some embodiments, the electronic device is selected from a group
consisting of
a cell phone, a digital music player, a watch, a pager, a camera, and a
portable computer.
[00590] In some embodiments, the electronic device is selected from a group
consisting of
a cell phone, a digital music player, a watch, a pager, a camera, and a
portable computer.
25 [00591] In some embodiments, the electronic device comprises a mobile
phone.
[00592] In some embodiments, the electronic device comprises a watch.
[00593] In some embodiments, the electronic device comprises a portable
computer.
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[00594] In some embodiments, the electronic device is placed on a heating
surface
connected to or comprised in the heater.
[00595] In some embodiments, the controller is operable to control a valve
comprised in
the apparatus for modifying the pressure in the low-pressure chamber in
response to detection
of a control event.
[00596] In some embodiments, the control event comprises a determination that
a humidity
in the low-pressure chamber or the interior is equal to or less than a
threshold humidity.
[00597] In some embodiments, the control event comprises a determination that
a first
temperature in the low-pressure chamber or the interior, or a second
temperature associated
with the heater or a heating surface located in the low-pressure chamber or
the interior, is
equal to or greater than a threshold temperature.
[00598] In some embodiments, the controller is operable to stop a drying
operation or cycle
in response to detection of a control event.
[00599] In some embodiments, the control event comprises a determination that
a humidity
in the low-pressure chamber or the interior is equal to or less than a
threshold humidity.
[00600] In some embodiments, the heating surface is electrically powered
through power
wires.
[00601] In some embodiments, the heating surface is manufactured with at least
partially
thermally conductive material.
[00602] In some embodiments, the electronic device is placed on a conduction
platen or
surface connected to the heater, wherein the conduction platen or surface is
powered by a
power and control system located in the apparatus, and wherein the power and
control system
comprises the controller.
[00603] In some embodiments, the conduction platen or surface is powered on
for a first
portion of time and powered off for a second portion of time.
[00604] In some embodiments, the powered on and the powered off portions of
time are
repeated sequentially multiple times.
[00605] In some embodiments, the electronic device is selected from a group
consisting of
a cell phone, a digital music player, a watch, a pager, a camera, and a
portable computer.
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[00606] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises: a low-
pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for
placement of an
electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior,
wherein the electronic device is selected from a group consisting of a cell
phone, a digital
music player, a watch, a pager, a camera, and a portable computer, an
evacuation pump
connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to the low-pressure
chamber, the
heater comprising or connected to a heating surface; and a power and control
system
comprising a controller connected to the evacuation pump and to the heater,
the controller
controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by controlling the
evacuation
0 pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber or the
interior, and controlling
operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device, the power and
control system
powering on the heater or the heating surface for a first period of time and
powering off the
heater or the heating surface for a second period of time, and the power and
control system
controlling a valve associated with the low-pressure chamber or the interior
for modifying the
pressure within the low-pressure chamber or the interior in response to
detection of a first
control event.
[00607] In some embodiments, the first control event comprises a humidity
determination
in the low-pressure chamber or the interior.
[00608] In some embodiments, the power and control system stopping a drying
operation
or cycle in response to detection of a second control event.
[00609] In some embodiments, the second control event comprises a humidity
determination in the low-pressure chamber or the interior.
[00610] In some embodiments, the drying operation or cycle comprises a current
drying
operation or cycle.
[00611] In some embodiments, the drying operation or cycle comprises a next
drying
operation or cycle.
[00612] In some embodiments, the drying operation or cycle comprises a
subsequent
drying operation or cycle.
[00613] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a door hingedly
connected
to the low-pressure chamber or the interior.
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[00614] In some embodiments, the pressure in the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
decreased to at least approximately 30 inches of Hg below external pressure
outside the low-
pressure chamber.
[00615] In some embodiments, the door is hingedly connected to the low-
pressure chamber
or the interior.
[00616] In some embodiments, the heating surface comprises a resistive heating
surface.
[00617] In some embodiments, modifying the pressure within the low-pressure
chamber
comprises increasing the pressure within the low-pressure chamber.
[00618] In some embodiments, modifying the pressure within the low-pressure
chamber
comprises decreasing the pressure within the low-pressure chamber.
[00619] In some embodiments, the pressure in the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
decreased to at least approximately 30 inches of Hg below external pressure
outside the low-
pressure chamber.
[00620] In some embodiments, the electronic device is in direct contact with
the heating
surface.
[00621] In some embodiments, the electronic device is not in direct contact
with the
heating surface.
[00622] In some embodiments, the heating surface heats the electronic device
via one or
more conductive mediums or surfaces.
[00623] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises: a low-
pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for
placement of an
electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior,
wherein the electronic device is selected from a group consisting of a cell
phone, a digital
music player, a watch, a pager, a camera, and a portable computer, an
evacuation pump
connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to the low-pressure
chamber, the
heater comprising or connected to a heating surface; and a power and control
system
comprising a controller connected to the evacuation pump and to the heater,
the controller
controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by controlling the
evacuation
pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber or the interior, and
controlling
operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device, the power and
control system
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powering on the heater or the heating surface and powering off the heater or
the heating
surface, and the power and control system stopping a drying operation or cycle
in response to
detection of a first control event.
[00624] In some embodiments, the first control event comprises a humidity
determination
in the low-pressure chamber or the interior.
[00625] In some embodiments, the first control event comprises a first
temperature
determination in the low-pressure chamber or the interior, or a second
temperature
determination associated with the heating surface or the heater.
[00626] In some embodiments, the power and control system controlling a valve
associated
with the low-pressure chamber or the interior for modifying the pressure
within the low-
pressure chamber or the interior in response to detection of a second control
event.
[00627] In some embodiments, the second control event comprises a humidity
determination in the low-pressure chamber or the interior.
[00628] In some embodiments, the second control event comprises a first
temperature
determination in the low-pressure chamber or the interior, or a second
temperature
determination associated with the heating surface or the heater.
[00629] In some embodiments, the drying operation or cycle comprises a current
drying
operation or cycle.
[00630] In some embodiments, the drying operation or cycle comprises a next
drying
operation or cycle.
[00631] In some embodiments, the drying operation or cycle comprises a
subsequent
drying operation or cycle.
[00632] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a door hingedly
connected
to the low-pressure chamber or the interior.
[00633] In some embodiments, the pressure in the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
decreased to at least approximately 30 inches of Hg below external pressure
outside the
chamber.
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[00634] In some embodiments, the pressure in the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
decreased to at least approximately 30 inches of Hg below external pressure
outside the
chamber.
[00635] In some embodiments, the heating surface comprises a resistive heating
surface.
[00636] In some embodiments, the heating surface comprises a resistive heating
surface.
[00637] In some embodiments, the fast duration of time is different from the
second
duration of time.
[00638] In some embodiments, the first duration of time is substantially
equivalent to the
second duration of time.
[00639] In some embodiments, the pressure in the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
decreased to at least approximately 30 inches of Hg below external pressure
outside the low-
pressure chamber.
[00640] In some embodiments, the electronic device is in direct contact with
the heating
surface.
[00641] In some embodiments, the electronic device is not in direct contact
with the
heating surface.
[00642] In some embodiments, the heating surface heats the electronic device
via one or
more conductive mediums or conductive surfaces.
[00643] In some embodiments, the pressure in the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
decreased to at least approximately 28 inches of Hg below external pressure
outside the low-
pressure chamber.
[00644] In some embodiments, the pressure in the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
decreased to at least approximately 30 inches of Hg below external pressure
outside the low-
pressure chamber.
[00645] In some embodiments, the pressure in the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
decreased to at least approximately 30 inches of Hg below external pressure
outside the low-
pressure chamber.
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[00646] In some embodiments, the pressure in the low-pressure chamber or the
interior is
decreased to at least approximately 30 inches of Hg below external pressure
outside the low-
pressure chamber.
[00647] In some embodiments, the electronic device is placed on a heating
platen
connected to or comprised in the heater.
[00648] In some embodiments, the electronic device is placed on a heating
surface
connected to or comprised in the heater, wherein the heating surface is
energized for a first
period of lime, and wherein the heating surface is de-energized for a second
period of time.
[00649] In some embodiments, the heater comprises a platen with which the
electronic
device is in indirect contact during removal of moisture from the electronic
device.
[00650] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a valve connected
to the
low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the pressure within the low-
pressure
chamber increases between successive decreases in the pressure at least in
part due to the
controller controlling the valve to change the pressure.
[00651] In some embodiments, the controller controls a temperature of the
heater or a
heating surface associated with the heater to maintain the temperature at or
above
approximately 110 deg. F and at or below approximately 120 deg. F.
[00652] In some embodiments, the controller is comprised in a power and
control system,
and wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of moisture
removed from
the electronic device.
[00653] In some embodiments, the controller is comprised in a power and
control system,
and wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of moisture
remaining in the
electronic device.
[00654] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a humidity sensor
connected to the low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the
controller controls a
temperature associated with the heater or a heating surface associated with
the heater or the
low-pressure chamber or the interior based at least in part on a signal
received from the
humidity sensor.
[00655] In some embodiments, the controller controls a temperature associated
with the
heater or a heating surface associated with the heater or the low-pressure
chamber or the
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interior based at least in part on the signal or a second signal received from
the humidity
sensor.
[00656] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises: a low-
pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for
placement of an
electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior, an
evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to
the low-
pressure chamber; at least one control system connected to the evacuation pump
and to the
heater, the at least one control system controlling removal of moisture from
the electronic
device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-
pressure
chamber, controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic
device, and
determining whether to stop or continue removing the moisture from the
electronic device
based on data associated with at least one of the electronic device or the low-
pressure
chamber, wherein the at least one control system is further configured for:
controlling at least
one of the evacuation pump or a valve in the low-pressure chamber to increase
the pressure
within the low-pressure chamber such that the increased pressure is
substantially equal to
pressure outside the low-pressure chamber, the decreasing the pressure and the
increasing the
pressure comprising a first cycle, repeating the controlling the evacuation
pump to decrease
the pressure within the low-pressure chamber and the controlling the at least
one of the
evacuation pump or the valve to increase the pressure within the low-pressure
chamber such
that the increased pressure is substantially equal to the pressure outside the
low-pressure
chamber, the repeating of the decreasing the pressure and of the increasing
the pressure
comprising a second cycle, and determining whether to stop or continue
removing the
moisture from the electronic device based on data from at least one of the
first cycle or the
second cycle.
[00657] In some embodiments, a first temperature of the electronic device
during at least a
portion of the second cycle is higher compared to a second temperature of the
electronic
device during at least a portion of the first cycle.
[00658] In some embodiments, the at least one control system is further
configured for
second repeating the controlling the evacuation pump to decrease the pressure
within the low-
pressure chamber and the controlling the at least one of the evacuation pump
or the valve to
increase the pressure within the low-pressure chamber such that the increased
pressure is
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equal to the pressure outside the low-pressure chamber, the second repeating
of the
decreasing the pressure and of the increasing the pressure comprising a third
cycle.
[00659] In some embodiments, a change in temperature associated with the
electronic
device between the second and third cycles is smaller than a change in
temperature between
the first and second cycles.
[00660] In some embodiments, a change in humidity associated with the low-
pressure
chamber between the second and third cycles is smaller than change in humidity
between the
first and second cycles.
[00661] In some embodiments, determining whether to stop or continue removing
the
moisture from the electronic device based on the data from the at least one of
the first cycle
or the second cycle comprises determining whether to stop or continue removing
the moisture
from the electronic device based on first data from the first cycle, second
data from the
second cycle, and third data from the third cycle.
[00662] In some embodiments, determining whether to stop or continue removing
the
moisture from the electronic device comprises determining whether to stop
operation of the
evacuation pump.
[00663] In some embodiments, the data from at least one of the first cycle or
the second
cycle comprises data from the first cycle and the second cycle.
[00664] In some embodiments, the data comprises at least one of temperature
data
associated with the electronic device or the low-pressure chamber, pressure
data, or humidity
data.
[00665] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises: a low-
pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for
placement of an
electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior, an
evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to
the low-
pressure chamber; at least one power and control system connected to the
evacuation pump
and to the heater, the at least one power and control system controlling
removal of moisture
from the electronic device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease
pressure within the
low-pressure chamber, controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the
electronic device,
and determining whether to stop or continue removing the moisture from the
electronic
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device based on data associated with at least one of the electronic device or
the low-pressure
chamber.
[00666] In some embodiments, the data associated with the at least one of the
electronic
device or the low-pressure chamber comprises data associated with the
electronic device.
[00667] In some embodiments, the data associated with the at least one of the
electronic
device or the low-pressure chamber comprises data associated with the low-
pressure
chamber.
[00668] In some embodiments, the heater heats the electronic device via one or
more
conductive mediums or conductive surfaces, and wherein the electronic device
is selected
from a group consisting of a cell phone, a digital music player, a watch, a
pager, a camera,
and a portable computer.
[00669] In some embodiments, the data comprises temperature data.
[00670] In some embodiments, the data comprises pressure data.
[00671] In some embodiments, the data comprises humidity data.
[00672] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises: a low-
pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for
placement of an
electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from
the interior; an
evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to
the low-
pressure chamber; at least one control system connected to the evacuation pump
and to the
heater, the at least one control system controlling removal of moisture from
the electronic
device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-
pressure
chamber, and controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic
device, wherein
the apparatus is in communication with a computing device, wherein the
computing device
executes a computing application for at least one of receiving, processing, or
transmitting
data associated with at least one of the electronic device or the apparatus.
[00673] In some embodiments, the computing device accesses a drying database,
and
initiates searching of the drying database for a record associated with the
electronic device.
[00674] In some embodiments, the computing device, in response to finding the
record in
the drying database, at least one of: initiates prompt for providing
validation input for
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providing access to the record, or determines the electronic device has
remaining drying
attempts out of a certain number of allowable drying attempts.
[00675] In some embodiments, the computing device, in response to not finding
the record
in the drying database, initiates prompt for entry of input data to deter-mine
whether the
electronic device is a registered electronic device.
[00676] In some embodiments, the computing device, in response to not finding
the record
in the drying database, initiates a computing transaction for registering the
electronic device.
[00677] In some embodiments, the computing device, in response to finding the
record in
the drying database, prompt for selection of an option to dry the electronic
device.
[00678] In some embodiments, the communication with the computing device
comprises
Bluetooth communication or Bluetooth Low Energy communication.
[00679] In some embodiments, the communication with the computing device
comprises
Wi-Fi communication or cellular communication.
[00680] In some embodiments, the data comprises identification data associated
with at
least one of the electronic device or the apparatus.
[00681] In some embodiments, the data is received from the apparatus or the
electronic
device, and wherein the data is associated with an amount of moisture removed
from the
electronic device.
[00682] In some embodiments, the data is received from the apparatus or the
electronic
device, and wherein the data is associated with an amount of moisture
remaining in the
electronic device,
[00683] In some embodiments, the data is received from the apparatus or the
electronic
device, and wherein the data is associated with an amount of elapsed or
remaining time
associated with the removal of the moisture from the electronic device.
[00684] In some embodiments, the data comprises at least one of how long the
electronic
device has been or wet of if the electronic device was plugged in at the time
of or after the
electronic device got wet.
[00685] In some embodiments, the computing device determines progress of
removal of the
moisture from the electronic device.
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[00686] In some embodiments, the progress is associated with an amount of
moisture
removed from or remaining in the electronic device.
[00687] In some embodiments, the progress is associated with an amount of
elapsed or
remaining time (until the electronic device is dry) associated with the
removal of the moisture
from the electronic device.
[00688] In some embodiments, the computing device is associated with a display
or a
graphical user interface for displaying the progress of removal of the
moisture from the
electronic device.
[00689] Various aspects of different embodiments of the present disclosure are
expressed in
paragraphs X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8 and X9 as follows:
[00690] X I. One embodiment of the present disclosure includes an electronic
device drying
apparatus for drying water damaged or other wetting agent damaged electronics
comprising:
a heated conduction platen means; a vacuum chamber means; an evacuation pump
means; a
convection oven means; a solenoid valve control means; a microprocessor
controlled system
to automatically control heating and evacuation; a vacuum sensor means; a
humidity sensor
means; and a switch array for algorithm selection.
[00691] X2. Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method,
comprising:
placing a portable electronic device that has been rendered at least partially
inoperable due to
moisture intrusion into a low pressure chamber; heating the electronic device;
decreasing
pressure within the low pressure chamber; removing moisture from the interior
of the
portable electronic device to the exterior of the portable electronic device;
increasing pressure
within the low pressure chamber after said decreasing pressure; equalizing the
pressure
within the low pressure chamber with the pressure outside the low pressure
chamber; and
removing the portable electronic device from the low pressure chamber.
[00692] X3. Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes an
apparatus,
comprising: a low pressure chamber defining an interior, the low pressure
chamber with an
interior sized and configured for placement of an electronic device in the
interior and removal
of an electronic device from the interior; an evacuation pump connected to the
chamber; a
heater connected to the chamber; and a controller connected to the evacuation
pump and to
the heater, the controller controlling removal of moisture from the electronic
device by
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controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low pressure
chamber and
controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device.
[00693] X4. Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a device for
removing
moisture from an electronic device, substantially as described herein with
reference to the
accompanying Figures.
[00694] X5. Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method of
removing
moisture from an electronic device, substantially as described herein with
reference to the
accompanying Figures.
[00695] X6. Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method of
manufacturing a device, substantially as described herein, with reference to
the
accompanying Figures.
[00696] X7. Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes an
apparatus,
comprising: means for heating an electronic device; means for reducing the
pressure within
the electronic device; and means for detecting when a sufficient amount of
moisture has been
removed from the electronic device.
[00697] X8. Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method,
comprising:
placing a portable electronic device that has been rendered at least partially
inoperable due to
moisture intrusion into a low pressure chamber; decreasing pressure within the
low pressure
chamber; introducing air into the interior of the electronic device, the
introduced air being at
a pressure above the pressure within the low pressure chamber; removing
moisture from the
interior of the portable electronic device; equalizing the pressure within the
low pressure
chamber with the pressure outside the low pressure chamber; and removing the
portable
electronic device from the low pressure chamber.
[00698] X9. Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes an
apparatus,
comprising: a low pressure chamber defining an interior, the low pressure
chamber with an
interior sized and configured for placement of an electronic device in the
interior and removal
of an electronic device from the interior; an evacuation pump connected to the
chamber and
configured and adapted to decrease pressure within the low pressure chamber;
and a gas
injector configured and adapted for pneumatic connection to the electronic
device while the
evacuation pump removes gas from the low pressure chamber, the injector being
configured
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and adapted for introducing a gas into the interior of the electronic device,
the gas being at a
pressure above the pressure within the interior of the low pressure chamber.
[00699] Yet other embodiments include the features described in any of the
previous
statements X 1 , X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8 and X9, as combined with one or
more of the
following aspects:
[00700] A regenerative desiccator means to automatically dry desiccant.
[00701] A UV germicidal lamp means to disinfect portable electronic devices.
[00702] Wherein said heated conduction platen is comprised of a thermofoil
heater
laminated to metallic conduction platen.
[00703] Wherein said heated conduction platen thermofoil heater is between 25
watts and
1000 watts.
[00704] Wherein said heated conduction platen utilizes a temperature feedback
sensor.
[00705] Wherein said heated conduction platen surface area is between 4 square
inches and
1500 square inches.
[00706] Wherein said heated conduction platen is also used as a convection
oven heater to
heat the outside of a vacuum chamber.
[00707] Wherein said convection oven is used to heat the outside of a vacuum
chamber to
minimize internal vacuum chamber condensation once vaporization occurs
[00708] Wherein said vacuum chamber is fabricated from a vacuum rated material
such as
plastic, metal, or glass.
[00709] Wherein said vacuum chamber is constructed in such a manner as to
withstand
vacuum pressures up to 30 inches of mercury below atmospheric pressure.
[00710] Wherein said vacuum chamber volume is between 0.25 liters and 12
liters.
[00711] Wherein said evacuation pump provides a minimum vacuum pressure of 19
inches
of mercury below atmospheric pressure.
[00712] Wherein said solenoid valves has a orifice diameter between 0.025
inches and 1
inches.
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[00713] Wherein said solenoid valve is used to provide a path for atmospheric
air to
exchange convection oven heated air.
[00714] Wherein said microprocessor controller utilizes algorithms stored in
memory for
controlled vacuum drying.
[00715] Wherein said relative humidity sensor is pneumatically connected to
vacuum
chamber and used to sample relative humidity real time.
[00716] Wherein said microprocessor controller utilizes relative humidity
maximums and
minimums for controlled vacuum drying.
[00717] Wherein said microprocessor controller automatically controls the
heated
conduction temperature, vacuum pressure, and cycle times.
[00718] Wherein said microprocessor controller utilizes a pressure sensor,
temperature
sensor, and relative humidity sensor as feedback for heated vacuum drying.
[00719] Wherein said microprocessor controller logs performance data and can
transmit
over a modem internet interface.
[00720] Wherein said switch array for algorithm selection provides a
simplistic method of
control.
[00721] Wherein said regenerative desiccator is heated by external thermofoil
heaters
between 25 W and 1000W.
[00722] Wherein said regenerative desiccator utilizes a fan and temperature
signal to permit
precise closed-loop temperature control to bake desiccant.
[00723] Wherein said regenerative desiccator utilizes 3-way pneumatic valves
to
pneumatically isolate and switch airflow direction and path for purging said
desiccator.
[00724] Wherein said UV germicidal light emits UV radiation at a wavelength of
254 nm
and a power range between 1 W and 250 W to provide adequate UV radiation for
disinfecting
portable electronic devices.
[00725] Wherein said UV germicidal light disinfects portable electronic
devices from
between 1 minute and 480 minutes.
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[00726] Wherein said regenerative desiccator is heated from 120 F to 500 F
in order to
provide a drying medium.
[00727] Wherein said regenerative desiccator is heated from between 5 minutes
and 600
minutes to provide ample drying time.
[00728] Wherein said heated conduction platen is heated between 70 'V and 200
F to re-
introduce heat as compensation for the loss due to the latent heat of
evaporation loss.
[00729] Wherein said microprocessor controller logs performance data and can
transmit
and receive performance data and software updates wirelessly over a cellular
wireless
network.
[00730] Wherein said microprocessor controller logs performance data and can
print results
on an Internet Protocol wireless printer or a locally installed printer.
[00731] Wherein said placing includes placing the portable electronic device
on a platen,
and said heating includes heating the platen to at least approximately 110
deg. F and at most
approximately 120 deg. F.
[00732] Wherein said decreasing pressure includes decreasing the pressure to
at least
approximately 28 inches of Hg below the pressure outside the chamber.
[00733] Wherein said decreasing pressure includes decreasing the pressure to
at least
approximately 30 inches of Hg below the pressure outside the chamber.
[00734] Wherein said placing includes placing the portable electronic device
on a platen,
said heating includes heating the platen to at least approximately 110 deg. F
and at most
approximately 120 deg. F, and said decreasing pressure includes decreasing the
pressure to at
least approximately 28 inches of Hg below the pressure outside the chamber.
[00735] Wherein said decreasing pressure and increasing pressure are repeated
sequentially
before said removing the portable electronic device.
[00736] Automatically controlling said repeated decreasing pressure and
increasing
pressure according to at least one predetermined criterion.
[00737] Measuring the relative humidity within the chamber; and increasing
pressure after
the relative humidity has decreased and the rate of decrease of the relative
humidity has
slowed.
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[00738] Measuring the relative humidity within the chamber; wherein said
decreasing
pressure and increasing pressure are repeated sequentially before said
removing the portable
electronic device; and wherein said decreasing pressure begins when the
relative humidity
has increased and the rate of increase of the relative humidity has slowed.
[00739] Measuring the relative humidity within the chamber; wherein said
decreasing
pressure and increasing pressure are repeated sequentially before said
removing the portable
electronic device; and wherein said repeated decreasing pressure and
increasing pressure is
stopped once the difference between a sequential relative humidity maximum and
relative
humidity minimum are within a predetermined tolerance.
[00740] Measuring the relative humidity within the chamber; wherein said
decreasing
pressure and increasing pressure are repeated sequentially before said
removing the portable
electronic device; and wherein said repeated decreasing pressure and
increasing pressure is
stopped once the relative humidity within the chamber reaches a predetermined
value.
[00741] Decreasing pressure within the low pressure chamber using a pump; and
removing
moisture from the gas being drawn from the chamber with the pump prior to the
gas reaching
the pump.
[00742] Wherein said removing moisture includes removing moisture using a
desiccator
containing desiccant.
[00743] Removing moisture from the desiccant.
[00744] Isolating the desiccant from the pump prior to said removing moisture
from the
desiccant.
[00745] Reversing the airflow through the desiccator while removing moisture
from the
desiccant.
[00746] Heating the desiccant during said removing moisture from the
desiccant.
[00747] Wherein said heating includes heating the desiccant to at least 200
deg. F and at
most 300 deg. F.
[00748] Wherein said heating includes heating the desiccant to approximately
250 deg. F.
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[00749] Wherein the controller controls the evacuation pump to decrease
pressure within
the low pressure chamber multiple times, and wherein the pressure within the
low pressure
chamber increases between successive decreases in pressure.
[00750] A humidity sensor connected to the low pressure chamber and the
controller,
wherein the controller controls the evacuation pump to at least temporarily
stop decreasing
pressure within the low pressure chamber based at least in part on signals
received from the
humidity sensor.
[00751] Wherein the controller controls the evacuation pump to at least
temporarily stop
decreasing pressure within the low pressure chamber when the rate at which the
relative
humidity changes decreases or is approximately zero.
[00752] Wherein the controller controls the evacuation pump to begin
decreasing pressure
within the low pressure chamber when the rate at which the relative humidity
changes
decreases or is approximately zero.
[00753] Wherein humidity sensor detects maximum and minimum values of relative
humidity as the evacuation pump decreases pressure within the low pressure
chamber
multiple times, and wherein the controller determines that the device is dry
when the
difference between successive maximum and minimum relative humidity values is
equal to or
less than a predetermined value.
[00754] A valve connected to the low pressure chamber and the controller,
wherein the
pressure within the low pressure chamber increases between successive
decreases in pressure
at least in part due to the controller controlling the valve to increase
pressure.
[00755] Wherein the controller controls the valve to increase pressure within
the low
pressure chamber at approximately the same time the controller controls the
evacuation pump
to stop decreasing pressure within the low pressure chamber.
[00756] Wherein the controller controls the valve to equalize pressure between
the interior
of the low pressure chamber and the outside of the low pressure chamber.
[00757] A temperature sensor connected to the heater and the controller,
wherein the
controller controls the heater to maintain a predetermined temperature based
at least in part
on signals received from the pressure sensor.
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[00758] A pressure sensor connected to the low pressure chamber and the
controller,
wherein the controller controls the evacuation pump to at least temporarily
stop decreasing
pressure within the low pressure chamber based at least in part on signals
received from the
pressure sensor.
[00759] Wherein the heater includes a platen with which the electronic device
is in direct
contact during removal of moisture from the electronic device.
[00760] Disinfecting the electronic device.
[00761] A UV lamp for disinfecting the electronic device.
[00762] Wherein introducing air into the interior of the electronic device is
while the
pressure in the low pressure chamber is below the pressure outside the low
pressure chamber.
[00763] Wherein introducing air into the interior of the electronic device is
during said
decreasing pressure.
[00764] Wherein introducing air into the interior of the electronic device is
before said
equalizing the pressure.
[00765] Wherein the introduced air is at a pressure above the pressure outside
the low
pressure chamber.
[00766] Heating the electronic device.
[00767] Heating the air introduced into the interior of the electronic device.
[00768] Measuring the temperature of air being introduced into the interior of
the electronic
device.
[00769] Controlling the temperature of the air being introduced into the
electronic device to
be at least 90 degrees F and at most 140 degrees F.
[00770] Wherein decreasing pressure within the low pressure chamber and/or
electronic
device and heating of the electronic device are performed by a vacuum pump.
[00771] Wherein decreasing pressure within the low pressure chamber and/or
electronic
device is performed by a vacuum pump, and wherein heating of the electronic
device is
performed by an object other than the vacuum pump.
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[00772] Wherein heating the electronic device includes heating the air
introduced into the
interior of the electronic device and heating an exterior surface of the
electronic device
through direct contact with the exterior surface of the electronic device.
[00773] Wherein decreasing pressure within the low pressure chamber and/or
electronic
device includes decreasing the pressure to at least approximately 28 inches of
Hg below the
pressure outside the chamber.
[00774] Attaching an air nozzle to an electronic port of the electronic device
and
introducing air through the electronic port.
[00775] Wherein introducing air into the interior of the electronic device
includes
introducing air into the electronic device at a rate of at least approximately
0.5 cubic feet per
minute and at most approximately 2.5 cubic feet per minute.
[00776] Wherein the gas injector is configured and adapted to inject air into
the interior of
the electronic device.
[00777] Wherein the gas injector is configured and adapted to connect to and
inject gas
through an electronic connection port of the electronic device.
[00778] A heater connected to the gas injector, wherein the heater heats the
gas before it is
introduced into the interior of the electronic device.
[00779] Wherein the heater heating the electronic device is the evacuation
pump decreasing
pressure within the low pressure chamber and/or electronic device.
[00780] Wherein the heater heating the electronic device is not the evacuation
pump
decreasing pressure within the low pressure chamber and/or electronic device.
[00781] A heater adapted to heat an exterior surface of an electronic device
placed in the
low pressure chamber through direct contact with the exterior surface of the
electronic
device.
[00782] A controller to control the temperature of the gas introduced into the
interior of the
electronic device.
[00783] Wherein the heater heating the gas injected into the electronic device
heats the gas
to at least approximately 90 degrees F and at most approximately 140 degrees
F.
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[00784] A controller connected to the evacuation pump and to the heater, the
controller
controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by controlling the
evacuation
pump to decrease pressure within the low pressure chamber and controlling
operation of the
heater to add heat to the electronic device.
[00785] Wherein the controller connected to the evacuation pump controls the
evacuation
pump to decrease pressure within the low pressure chamber to at least
approximately 28
inches of Hg below the pressure outside the chamber.
[00786] Wherein the gas injector introduces gas into the interior of the
electronic device
when the evacuation pump has decreased the pressure within the low pressure
chamber below
ambient conditions.
[00787] Wherein the gas injector introduces gas into the interior of the
electronic device
while the evacuation pump is decreasing pressure within the low pressure
chamber.
[00788] Wherein the gas injector introduces gas at a pressure above the
pressure outside the
low pressure chamber.
[00789] Wherein the gas injector is configured and adapted to introduce air
into the
electronic device at a rate of at least approximately 0.5 cubic feet per
minute and at most
approximately 2.5 cubic feet per minute.
[00790] In some embodiments, a method comprises placing a portable electronic
device
that has been rendered at least partially inoperable due to moisture intrusion
into a low-
pressure chamber; heating the electronic device; decreasing pressure within
the low-pressure
chamber; removing moisture from the interior of the portable electronic device
to the exterior
of the portable electronic device; increasing pressure within the low-pressure
chamber after
said decreasing pressure, the step of increasing further comprising: measuring
the relative
humidity within the low-pressure chamber; and increasing pressure after the
relative humidity
has decreased and the rate of decrease of the relative humidity has slowed;
equalizing the
pressure within the low-pressure chamber with the pressure outside the low-
pressure
chamber; and removing the portable electronic device from the low-pressure
chamber.
[00791] In some embodiments, said placing includes placing the portable
electronic device
on a platen, and said heating includes heating the platen to at least
approximately 110 deg. F
and at most approximately 120 deg. F.
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[00792] In some embodiments, said decreasing pressure includes decreasing the
pressure to
at least approximately 28 inches of Hg below the pressure outside the chamber.
[00793] In some embodiments, said decreasing pressure includes decreasing the
pressure to
at least approximately 30 inches of Hg below the pressure outside the chamber.
[00794] In some embodiments, said placing includes placing the portable
electronic device
on a platen, heating includes heating the platen to at least approximately 110
deg. F and at
most approximately 120 deg. F, and said decreasing pressure includes
decreasing the pressure
to at least approximately 28 inches of Hg below the pressure outside the
chamber.
[00795] In some embodiments, said decreasing pressure and increasing pressure
are
repeated sequentially before said removing the portable electronic device.
[00796] In some embodiments, the method further comprises automatically
controlling said
repeated decreasing pressure and increasing pressure according to at least one
predetermined
criterion.
[00797] In some embodiments, the method further comprises detecting when a
sufficient
amount of moisture has been removed from the electronic device; and stopping
the repeated
decreasing pressure and increasing pressure after said detecting.
[00798] In some embodiments, the method further comprises decreasing pressure
within
the low-pressure chamber using a pump; and removing moisture from the gas
being drawn
from the chamber with the pump prior to the gas reaching the pump.
[00799] In some embodiments, said removing moisture includes removing moisture
using a
desiccator containing desiccant.
[00800] In some embodiments, the method further comprises removing moisture
from the
desiccant.
[00801] In some embodiments, the method further comprises isolating the
desiccant from
the pump prior to said removing moisture from the desiccant.
[00802] In some embodiments, the method further comprises disinfecting the
electronic
device.
[00803] In some embodiments, the method further comprises detecting when a
sufficient
amount of moisture has been removed from the electronic device.
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[00804] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises
a low-
pressure chamber defining an interior, the low-pressure chamber having an
interior sized and
configured for placement of an electronic device in the interior and removal
of an electronic
device from the interior; an evacuation pump connected to the chamber; a
heater connected to
the chamber, and a controller connected to the evacuation pump and to the
heater, the
controller controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by
controlling the
evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber and
controlling
operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device.
[00805] In some embodiments, the controller controls the evacuation pump to
decrease
pressure within the low-pressure chamber multiple times, and wherein the
pressure within the
low-pressure chamber increases between successive decreases in pressure.
[00806] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a humidity sensor
connected to the low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the
controller controls the
evacuation pump to at least temporarily stop decreasing pressure within the
low-pressure
chamber based at least in part on signals received from the humidity sensor.
[00807] In some embodiments, the controller controls the evacuation pump to at
least
temporarily stop decreasing pressure within the low-pressure chamber when a
rate at which
the relative humidity changes decreases or is approximately zero.
[00808] In some embodiments, the humidity sensor detects maximum and minimum
values
of relative humidity as the evacuation pump decreases pressure within the low-
pressure
chamber multiple times, and wherein the controller determines that the device
is dry when the
difference between successive maximum and minimum relative humidity values is
equal to or
less than a predetermined value.
[00809] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a humidity sensor
connected to the low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the
controller controls the
evacuation pump to begin decreasing pressure within the low-pressure chamber
when the rate
at which relative humidity changes either decreases or is approximately zero.
[00810] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a valve connected
to the
low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the pressure within the low-
pressure
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chamber increases between successive decreases in pressure at least in part
due to the
controller controlling the valve to increase pressure.
[00811] In some embodiments, the controller controls the valve to increase
pressure within
the low-pressure chamber at the same time the controller controls the
evacuation pump to
stop decreasing pressure within the low-pressure chamber.
[00812] In some embodiments, the controller controls a valve to equalize
pressure between
the interior of the low-pressure chamber and the outside of the low-pressure
chamber.
[00813] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a temperature
sensor
connected to the heater and the controller, wherein the controller controls
the heater to
maintain a predetermined temperature based at least in part on signals
received from the
pressure sensor.
[00814] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a pressure sensor
connected
to the low-pressure chamber and the controller, wherein the controller
controls the evacuation
pump to at least temporarily stop decreasing pressure within the low-pressure
chamber based
at least in part on signals received from the pressure sensor.
[00815] In some embodiments, the heater includes a platen with which the
electronic
device is in direct contact during removal of moisture from the electronic
device.
[00816] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a sterilizing
member
connected to the chamber, the sterilizing member being configured and adapted
to kill germs
on an electronic device positioned within the chamber.
[00817] In some embodiments, another apparatus is provided. The apparatus
comprises
means for conductively heating an electronic device; means for reducing the
pressure within
the electronic device; and means for detecting when a sufficient amount of
moisture has been
removed from the electronic device.
[00818] While illustrated examples, representative embodiments and specific
forms of the
invention have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and
foregoing
description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive
or limiting. The
description of particular features in one embodiment does not imply that those
particular
features are necessarily limited to that one embodiment. Features of one
embodiment may be
used in combination with features of other embodiments as would be understood
by one of
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ordinary skill in the art, whether or not explicitly described as such.
Exemplary embodiments
have been shown and described, and all changes and modifications that come
within the spirit
of the invention are desired to be protected.
[00819] My transmission, reception, connection, or communication may occur
using any
short-range (e.g., Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, near field communication,
Wi-Fi Direct,
etc.) or long-range communication mechanism (e.g., Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.).
Additionally or
alternatively, any transmission, reception, connection, or communication may
occur using
wired technologies. Any transmission, reception, or communication may occur
directly
between systems or indirectly via one or more systems.
[00820] The term signal, signals, data, or information may refer to a single
signal or
multiple signals. Any reference to a signal may be a reference to an attribute
of the signal,
and any reference to a signal attribute may refer to a signal associated with
the signal
attribute. As used herein, the term "real-time" or "dynamically" in any
context may refer to
any of current, immediately after, simultaneously as, substantially
simultaneously as, a few
microseconds after, a few milliseconds after, a few seconds after, a few
minutes after, a few
hours after, a few days after, a period of time after, etc. In some
embodiments, any operation
used herein may be interchangeably used with the term "transform" or
"transformation."
[00821] The present disclosure provides several important technical advantages
that will be
readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and
claims. Moreover,
while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may
include
all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages. Any sentence or statement in
this disclosure
may be associated with one or more embodiments. Reference numerals are
provided in the
specification for the first instance of an element that is numbered in the
figures. In some
embodiments, the reference numerals for the first instance of the element are
also applicable
to subsequent instances of the element in the specification even though
reference numerals
may not be provided for the subsequent instances of the element.
[00822] While various embodiments in accordance with the disclosed principles
have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way
of example
only, and are not limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention(s)
should not be
limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be
defined only in
accordance with the claims and their equivalents issuing from this disclosure.
Furthermore,
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the above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but
shall not limit
the application of such issued claims to processes and structures
accomplishing any or all of
the above advantages.
[00823] Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency
with the
suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 137 or otherwise to provide organizational cues.
These headings
shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that
may issue from this
disclosure. Specifically, a description of a technology in the "Background" is
not to be
construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in
this disclosure.
Neither is the "Summary" to be considered as a characterization of the
invention(s) set forth
in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to "invention"
in the singular
should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in
this disclosure.
Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the
multiple claims
issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the
invention(s), and their
equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such
claims shall be
considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be
constrained by the
headings herein.
CA 03151413 2022-3-16
