Abstract: An electronic device may include an environmental sensor. In particular, the sensor may include a layer of metal and be operable as an anemometer, a thermometer, a bolometer, and/or a heat flux sensor. To operate as an anemometer or thermometer, circuitry may heat the layer of metal and calculate an air speed based on a decay of the metal temperature. To operate as a bolometer, a first portion of the metal may have a first optical absorption/insulation (e.g., be insulated), while a second portion may have a second optical absorption/insulation (e.g., be uncoated). Differences in heating/cooling of the first and second portions may be used to measure solar radiation. To operate as a heat flux sensor, different metals may be used, and Seebeck voltages between the different metals may be measured. The metal may be deposited on the housing or may be incorporated into a mesh on the device.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a housing and a display in the housing. The display may be used as an anemometer to measure the speed of ambient air in the device's environment. In particular, the display may be monitored by a temperature sensor until it reaches an equilibrium temperature, at which point it may be heated by increasing the brightness of the display or using a separate heater. After heating, a cooling response of the display may be measured, and the ambient air speed may be calculated based on the cooling response of the display. Instead of measuring the air speed using the display, other components, such as a pressure sensor, may be used to measure the air speed by heating the components and measuring a cooling response of the components. Multiple temperature sensors may be incorporated into the device to determine a wind direction in addition to air speed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to a device including a pressure sensor to measure a pressure level in a port cavity. A port allows equalization of air pressure between the port cavity and an outside environment. A vent port within the port cavity allows equalization of air pressure between the port cavity and an internal volume of a housing of the device. A tool is used to activate a heat-generating component of the device while the port is obstructed for a predetermined time duration to enable detecting a sealing efficacy of the housing.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a smart watch, incorporating a fluid-based pressure-sensing device is disclosed. The fluid-based pressure-sensing device includes an enclosure, a pressure sensor, a diaphragm and a sensing medium. The enclosure includes an opening and the pressure sensor is disposed inside the enclosure. The diaphragm hermetically seals the opening, and the sensing medium transfers a pressure exerted on the diaphragm to the pressure sensor. The sensing medium can be liquid oil filling a space of the enclosure, and the diaphragm is a polymer material. The pressure-sensing device may sense an environmental pressure, which may be used by the electronic device to modify its operations, change information that is displayed, and so on.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to an apparatus including one or more transducers, and a pathway for drying the one or more transducers via removal of water from vicinities of the transducers. The pathway includes a tubular structure, and the one or more transducers are disposed at a first opening of the tubular structure. The pathway is to facilitate removal of water via capillary-induced pressure gradient created by a capillary-dense material disposed at a second opening of the tubular structure at a distance from the transducers.

Abstract: According to some aspects of the subject technology, an apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a dielectric membrane disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode include a number of pores within a region of an input port of the apparatus. The first electrode, the second electrode and the dielectric membrane form a capacitor that is configured to enable detection of occlusion of the input port by water.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing defining an internal volume and a pressure sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume and in communication with an ambient environment. The pressure sensor assembly can include a structure at least partially enclosing a sensor volume, a pressure sensor affixed to a die disposed in the sensor volume, and an exposed moisture detection conductor positioned in the sensor volume.

Abstract: According to some aspects of the subject technology, an apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a dielectric membrane disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode include a number of pores within a region of an input port of the apparatus. The first electrode, the second electrode and the dielectric membrane form a capacitor that is configured to enable detection of occlusion of the input port by water.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices with pressure sensors. A pressure sensor in a portable electronic device may include an integrated heater or may be co-operated with an external heater for the pressure sensor. The heater may be operated to heat some or all of the pressure sensor for pressure sensor testing, calibration, or temperature-controlled pressure sensing operations.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to an apparatus including one or more transducers, and a pathway for drying the one or more transducers via removal of water from vicinities of the transducers. The pathway includes a tubular structure, and the one or more transducers are disposed at a first opening of the tubular structure. The pathway is to facilitate removal of water via capillary-induced pressure gradient created by a capillary-dense material disposed at a second opening of the tubular structure at a distance from the transducers.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing defining an internal volume and a pressure sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume and in communication with an ambient environment. The pressure sensor assembly can include a structure at least partially enclosing a sensor volume, a pressure sensor affixed to a die disposed in the sensor volume, and an exposed moisture detection conductor positioned in the sensor volume.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices with pressure sensors. A pressure sensor may be mounted within a device housing in a pressure sensor cavity at or near an opening in the housing. A barometric vent between a main cavity within the housing and the pressure sensor cavity allows pressure changes in the main cavity to generate airflow through the pressure sensor cavity and out through the opening in the device housing. The generated airflow may clear debris that has occluded the opening in the housing.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices with intelligent barometric vents. An intelligent barometric vent may provide a moisture-resistant opening between an environment external to a housing of the device and an internal cavity within the housing. The moisture-resistant opening may include a moisture-resistant cover over the opening, the cover having a cover-integrated sensor to detect occlusions of the opening. The device may also include occlusion mitigation components within the housing that operate, responsive to a detected occlusion, to at least partially remove the occlusion.

Abstract: A portable communication device includes a transducer enclosed in an enclosure. An opening allows flow of air between the transducer enclosed in the enclosure and a surrounding environment. The enclosure protects the transducer from misreading due to occlusion of environmental aggressors on the transducer. The enclosure is configured to repel the environmental aggressors away from a surface of the transducer and to keep a portion of the opening unclogged to maintain an air flow to the transducer.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a speaker assembly suitable for use in a portable electronic device utilizing water resistant ports. The speaker assembly can have an open back that subjects a back volume of the speaker to pressure differentials within a device housing of the portable electronic device. The speaker assembly can utilize a speaker surround having a varying thickness. The varying thickness speaker surround allows the speaker to maintain an acceptable frequency response profile while limiting the travel of the diaphragm it is coupled with. The disclosure also describes how electrically conductive pathways can be integrated within a housing of the speaker assembly.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices with intelligent barometric vents. An intelligent barometric vent may provide a moisture-resistant opening between an environment external to a housing of the device and an internal cavity within the housing. The moisture-resistant opening may include a moisture-resistant cover over the opening, the cover having a cover-integrated sensor to detect occlusions of the opening. The device may also include occlusion mitigation components within the housing that operate, responsive to a detected occlusion, to at least partially remove the occlusion.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices with pressure sensors. A pressure sensor in a portable electronic device may include an integrated heater or may be co-operated with an external heater for the pressure sensor. The heater may be operated to heat some or all of the pressure sensor for pressure sensor testing, calibration, or temperature-controlled pressure sensing operations.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices with pressure sensors. A pressure sensor may be mounted within a device housing in a pressure sensor cavity at or near an opening in the housing. A barometric vent between a main cavity within the housing and the pressure sensor cavity allows pressure changes in the main cavity to generate airflow through the pressure sensor cavity and out through the opening in the device housing. The generated airflow may clear debris that has occluded the opening in the housing.

Abstract: A portable communication device includes a transducer enclosed in an enclosure. An opening allows flow of air between the transducer enclosed in the enclosure and a surrounding environment. The enclosure protects the transducer from misreading due to occlusion of environmental aggressors on the transducer. The enclosure is configured to repel the environmental aggressors away from a surface of the transducer and to keep a portion of the opening unclogged to maintain an air flow to the transducer.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a speaker assembly suitable for use in a portable electronic device utilizing water resistant ports. The speaker assembly can have an open back that subjects a back volume of the speaker to pressure differentials within a device housing of the portable electronic device. The speaker assembly can utilize a speaker surround having a varying thickness. The varying thickness speaker surround allows the speaker to maintain an acceptable frequency response profile while limiting the travel of the diaphragm it is coupled with. The disclosure also describes how electrically conductive pathways can be integrated within a housing of the speaker assembly.