Proximity regulation system for use with a portable cell phone and a method of operation thereof

• US 20030064732A1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Published: 04/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bell Northern Research, LLC (Hilco Inc. (d/b/a Hilco Global))
• Original Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mooney, Philip D., McDowell, Richard L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,039,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/288 taking into account the usage mode, e.g. hands-free, data transmission, telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/36 with a discrete range or set of values, e.g. step size, ramping or offsets

Abstract

A proximity regulation system for use with a portable cell phone and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the proximity regulation system includes a location sensing subsystem that is configured to determine a location of the portable cell phone proximate a user. A power governing subsystem is coupled to the location sensing subsystem and configured to determine a proximity transmit power level of the portable cell phone based on the location.

Claims

1. For use with a portable cell phone, a proximity regulation system, comprising:

a location sensing subsystem configured to determine a location of said portable cell phone proximate a user; and

a power governing subsystem, coupled to said location sensing subsystem, configured to determine a proximity transmit power level of said portable cell phone based on said location.

2. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said proximity transmit power level is reduced when said location is within a vicinity of a user'"'"'s head.

3. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said proximity transmit power level is limited to a predetermined maximum level.

4. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said proximity transmit power level is maximum when said portable cell phone is operating in a headset operation mode or data transfer operation mode.

5. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said portable cell phone is located on a belt-clip of said user.

6. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said location sensing subsystem or said power governing subsystem is embodied in an integrated circuit.

7. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said location sensing subsystem or said power governing subsystem is embodied in a sequence of operating instructions.

8. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said location sensing subsystem determines said location by employing a sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a designated sensor,

a contact sensor,

a belt clip sensor, and

a cradle sensor.

9. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said location sensing subsystem determines said location by ascertaining a mode of operation of said portable cell phone.

10. A method of operating a portable cell phone, comprising:

determining a location of said portable cell phone proximate a user;

providing a control signal based on said location; and

determining a proximity transmit power level of said portable cell phone based on said control signal.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said proximity transmit power level is reduced when said location is within a vicinity of a user'"'"'s head.

12. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said proximity transmit power level is limited to a predetermined maximum level.

13. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said proximity transmit power level is maximum when said portable cell phone is operating in a headset operation mode or data transfer operation mode.

14. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said portable cell phone is located on a belt-clip of said user.

15. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said determining said location is performed by a location sensing subsystem embodied in an integrated circuit.

16. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said determining a proximity transmit power level is performed by a power governing subsystem embodied in a sequence of operating instructions.

17. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said determining a location employs a sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a designated sensor,

a contact sensor,

a belt clip sensor, and

a cradle sensor.

18. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said determining a location is performed by ascertaining a mode of operation of said portable cell phone.

19. A portable cell phone, comprising:

a power circuit that provides a network adjusted transmit power level as a function of a position to a communications tower; and

a proximity regulation system, including;

a location sensing subsystem that determines a location of said portable cell phone proximate a user; and

a power governing subsystem, coupled to said location sensing subsystem, that determines a proximity transmit power level of said portable cell phone based on said location.

20. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 19 wherein said proximity transmit power level is reduced when said location is within a vicinity of a user'"'"'s head.

21. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 19 wherein said proximity transmit power level is limited to a predetermined maximum level.

22. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 19 wherein said proximity transmit power level is maximum when said portable cell phone is operating in a headset operation mode or data transfer operation mode.

23. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 19 wherein said portable cell phone is located on a belt-clip of said user.

24. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 19 wherein said location sensing subsystem or said power governing subsystem is embodied in an integrated circuit.

25. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 19 wherein said location sensing subsystem or said power governing subsystem is embodied in a sequence of operating instructions.

26. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 19 wherein said location sensing subsystem determines said location by employing a sensor selected from the group consisting Of:

a designated sensor,

a contact sensor,

a belt clip sensor, and

a cradle sensor.

27. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 19 wherein said location sensing subsystem determines said location by ascertaining a mode of operation of said portable cell phone.