Radioterminals Including Satellite Interlocks and Related Methods

• US 20110028188A1
• Filed: 10/12/2010
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,815 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/571
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18571 for satellites; for fixed or mobile stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A radioterminal may include a transceiver, a hands-free interface, and a satellite/hands-free interlock. The transceiver may be configured for space-based communications and for terrestrial wireless communications. The satellite/hands-free interlock may be configured to prevent the transceiver from transmitting space-based communications unless the hands-free interface is activated. Related methods are also discussed.

Claims

1. A radioterminal comprising:

a transceiver that is configured for space-based communications and for terrestrial wireless communications;

an antenna that is selectively configurable in at least a low profile or a high profile position and/or orientation; and

a satellite interlock that is configured to prevent the transceiver from transmitting communications at a high power and/or EIRP that is greater than or equal to a threshold responsive to the antenna being configured in the low profile position and/or orientation, to allow the transceiver to transmit communications at the high power and/or EIRP responsive to the antenna being configured in the high profile position and/or orientation, and to allow the transceiver to transmit communications at a low power and/or EIRP that is less than or equal to a threshold independent of the antenna'"'"'s position and/or orientation.

2. A radioterminal according to claim 1 wherein the high profile position and/or orientation of the antenna maintains a distance from the radioterminal and/or a user'"'"'s head that is greater than a distance maintained by the low profile position and/or orientation of the antenna from the radioterminal and/or the user'"'"'s head.

3. A radioterminal comprising:

a transceiver that is configured for space-based communications and for terrestrial wireless communications;

a user interface that is selectively configurable in at least speakerphone mode, push-to-send mode and/or push-to-talk mode or next to a user'"'"'s ear mode; and

a satellite interlock that is configured to prevent the transceiver from transmitting communications at a power and/or EIRP that is greater than or equal to a threshold responsive to the user interface is being configured in next to the user'"'"'s ear mode.