Abstract
Dropping a mobile phone or other electronic device can damage not only the enclosure but also internal components, e.g., batteries, printed circuit boards, etc. Sometimes the damage is only internal, with no apparent damage to the casing. Continued use of damaged internal components can result in further damage, e.g., continued use of a damaged USB bridge or battery can result in short circuits or explosions.
Per techniques of this disclosure, a variable resistive matrix is embedded within the casing of the electronic device. If the casing is dented or otherwise damaged, even invisibly, the resistance of corresponding rows and columns of the matrix changes enabling localization of the damage. Components near the damage can be disabled, and the user can be notified to take the device in for service.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Hurwitz, Jonathan D. and Gilbert, Christina L., "Detecting hardware damage using a resistive grid", Technical Disclosure Commons, (August 26, 2019)
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/2429