USING SENSORS TO TRIGGER TRANSMIT POWER MANAGEMENT

• US 20150099558A1
• Filed: 12/11/2014
• Published: 04/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zehr, Gregg, Narasimhan, Subram, Gopalakrishnan, Varadarajan, Buuck, David C., Depew, John, Hyun, In Chul
• Granted Patent: US 9,307,499 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/522
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/245 with means for shaping the antenna pattern, e.g. in order to protect user against rf exposure
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• 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 52/18 TPC being performed according to specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/228 using past power values or information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/36 with a discrete range or set of values, e.g. step size, ramping or offsets
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/367 Power values between minimum and maximum limits, e.g. dynamic range

Abstract

A user device transmits data at a first transmit power level. The user device detects a presence of a human body part within a predetermined distance from an antenna of the user device using one or more sensors disposed at a back side of the user device. In response to the detection of the presence of the human body part, the user device transmits information at a second transmit power level that is less than the first transmit power level.

Claims

1. A method, implemented by a user device programmed to perform the following, comprising:

transmitting data at a first transmit power level;

detecting a presence of a human body part within a predetermined distance from an antenna of the user device using one or more sensors disposed at a back side of the user device; and

in response to the detection of the presence of the human body part, transmitting information at a second transmit power level that is less than the first transmit power level.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are proximity sensors.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is approximately 10 mm.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a distance between the detected human body part and the antenna; and

reducing a current transmit power level based at least in part on the determined distance.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device waits a predetermined time period after detecting the presence of the human body part, and if the presence of the human body part is still detected after the predetermined time period, the user device reduces a current transmit power level below the first transmit power level.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a command to transmit information at a specified transmit power level, wherein the second transmit power level is lower than the specified transmit power level.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining that the specified transmit power level is higher than a transmit power level threshold; and

reducing a current transmit power level below the specified transmit power level after detecting the presence of the human body part.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmit power level threshold is a dynamic transmit power level threshold that changes based on previous transmit power levels.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein reducing the current transmit power level comprises:

maintaining a record of a total power output of at least one of the antenna and an additional antenna over a time period; and

when the total power output exceeds a transmit power level threshold during the time period, reducing the current transmit power level.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna functions as one of the one or more proximity sensors.