Apple looking to improve water sensors for detecting iPhone damage
The pursuit of a better, more fair and more accurate water sensor was revealed this week in a new patent application discovered by AppleInsider. Entitled "Mechanisms for Detecting Exposure to Water in an Electronic Device," it describes circuit-based methods, including the use of a water-soluble glue, as potentially a better way of detecting water damage.
Apple's filing notes that when a customer attempts to return a malfunctioning product, personnel at the point of sale are sometimes unqualified to properly check whether or not the device has water damage. As a result, customers frequently receive replacements for products that were damaged in methods not covered under warranty.
These erroneous replacements can prove costly to a company, and so Apple has shown interest in devising a better and more accurate way of assessing water damage to its portable devices. Pictured in the patent applications are an iPhone, iPad and iPod.
In one potential solution, Apple describes an "immersion detection mechanism" included as part of the internal components of a device. This water sensor could be covered in a water-soluble conductive glue that would electrically insulate the gap between two conducting pieces.
In the event that an iPhone or another device were to be submerged in water, this conductive glue would be permanently eroded by the water. The system would detect a change in impedance of the path, and would signal an alert to a data processor that would log water exposure events within the device.
Another potential method described by Apple involves several water sensors arranged and connected as a randomly accessible sensor array. A current can be passed through these conductive paths, and a change in impedance can be detected, which would signal an alert to a data processor that would log potential water damage events.
The application, made public this week, was first filed in August of 2010. It is credited to inventor Timothy M. Johnson.
Currently, all of Apple's mobile products come LSIs (Liquid Submersion Indicators) or LCIs (Liquid Contact Indicators) that turn from white or silver to a pinkish red when they come in contact with liquid. The sensors are used by Apple to make it easier for its retail store "Geniuses" and third-party repair technicians to determine whether a device has failed as a result of liquid damage, which isn't covered under warranty.
But those sensors occasionally result in false positives, an issue that has led to at least one lawsuit. Apple's proposed invention could be a fairer and more accurate way of detecting water damage.
Apple has apparently shown interest in water-proofing future devices with technology made by HzO. Their product, called "WaterBlock," was shown off at last month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev.
Officials with HzO indicated that they have been in talks with Apple about using WaterBlock in future devices like the iPhone. In fact, the company used the iPhone 4S, along with iPads and iPods, for demonstrations of their product at the show.
24 Comments
Innovations for detecting water damage are great if they do not have false positives invalidating legitamate warranty claims. Apple can absorb false negatives.
This is why, according to my sources, they open all phones to check for internal liquid damage if only one of the two external sensors is tripped or if it is only a light color (the more water the darker the color of the sensor). particularly if the sensor tripped isn't related to the issue being reported. So tripping the sensor in the dock connector wouldn't affect the headphone jack not working and thus shouldn't be the only reason for refusing service. Tripping the sensor and the phone won't charge is a different case. Tripping the dock connector sensor and there is water in the phone, tripped sensors in the phone or signs that someone replaced the sensors inside and you are SOL
That's clever. They could plug in the phone and see what the results are without looking inside the device with a flashlight and magnifying glass. They might be able to get a time stamp when the impedance happened.
This is good news. My iPhone 4 went totally bonkers a couple of months ago. When I took it into the Apple Store, they said the moisture sensors in the phone jack and dock connector were both showing exposure to moisture. Having never gotten my phone wet, I couldn't believe it. They said it could have been condensation if I had left the iPhone on the bathroom counter while I took a shower, the steam causing it to trip. So they'd replace the phone for $150. When the tech went back to make the exchange, he opened the phone and saw that there was absolutely no water damage and that the *internal* moisture sensors were NOT flipped. So he gave me a new iPhone 4 under my regular Applecare warranty. For a while I was really disappointed, but I'm glad he did a double-check on the insides and made the right call. I hope better sensors can alleviate these kinds of false-positives.
Apple should invest the time and money on water detectors in just making the devices waterproof. iPads, iPhones, etc. are not openable by the user and only have three openings, the headphone jack, the 30-pin connector and the micro sim slot. Make these water resistant. It does not have to have a 15m rating, just as good as some of the weather resistant cameras. I you can make a DSLR weather resistant with all the doors, speakers, ports and buttons on them a iPhone should be easy.