Temperature sensor on Iphone

**Tivo** · 10-02-2007 12:09 AM

Does anybody know where the temperature sensor files are located.
Im trying to see if i could make an application where you could take your
ear temperature like an ear thermometer mainly to have it handy for the kids sake.

Do you guys think its possible?

Thanks
Felipe

**brclint** · 10-02-2007 12:21 AM

I believe the temp sensor is internal, i.e. you'd need to open the casing and solder a piece of metal onto the sensor itself and drill a hole in the casing. So it could be used in this way.

**Tivo** · 10-02-2007 06:26 PM

I believe its an infrared sensor. So there is no need for opening the phone.

BTW: thanks for finding X

felipe

**M-to-D-I** · 10-02-2007 10:23 PM

If it could be done, it would be bloody awesome. Imagine someone says he is feeling slightly ill. And then you'll walk up to him and try to stick an iphone in his ear.

**dogzilla** · 10-02-2007 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by M-to-D-I

If it could be done, it would be bloody awesome. Imagine someone says he is feeling slightly ill. And then you'll walk up to him and try to stick an iphone in his ear.

I've already done this.

**JSN1** · 10-02-2007 11:56 PM

iPhone has temperature sensor?

**rcgabriel** · 10-03-2007 12:08 AM

I think it would work better rectally. And you'd appreciate the small form factor that much more!

**thecompkid** · 10-03-2007 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by Tivo

I believe its an infrared sensor. So there is no need for opening the phone.

BTW: thanks for finding X

felipe

No, the temperature sensor in the iphone is what's called a thermocouple, and it is placed near the battery to kill power if temperatures rise to dangerous levels. It would not be wise to modify this sensor, for your own protection. The sensor is not intended to be a target for 3rd party development, much less a sensor for someone's ear, so I do not believe that your application would work. Not to mention, exposing the sensor to high temperatures could cause the phone to freak out, as you most certainly will not be able to disable the failsafe systems.

All in all, just not a good idea, really, in many, many more ways than just the ones I have described. *looks at rcgabriel*

**shodanjr_gr** · 10-03-2007 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by thecompkid

No, the temperature sensor in the iphone is what's called a thermocouple, and it is placed near the battery to kill power if temperatures rise to dangerous levels. It would not be wise to modify this sensor, for your own protection. The sensor is not intended to be a target for 3rd party development, much less a sensor for someone's ear, so I do not believe that your application would work. Not to mention, exposing the sensor to high temperatures could cause the phone to freak out, as you most certainly will not be able to disable the failsafe systems.

All in all, just not a good idea, really, in many, many more ways than just the ones I have described. *looks at rcgabriel*

Sums it up perfectly. The sensor is part of the battery charging circuit (it might even be intergrated on the battery and its there to prevent overheating (which could lead to your iphone going boom).

Dont mess with it.

**thejunkmonger** · 10-31-2007 10:31 PM

I think you guys are missing the point I think he means he would like to interface with the IR module to be able read temp. like those infrared thermometers.