Communication terminal having detector method and apparatus for safe wireless communication

• US 5,805,067 A
• Filed: 12/30/1996
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bradley, James Frederick, Cooper, Paul W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANNAVA, ASHOK K
• Application Number:
  US08/774,453
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 340/552, 340/635, 340/541, 340/572, 340/573, 455/89, 455/90, 455/129, 343/894, 343/760, 343/703
• US Class Current: 340/635
• 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: H04B 7/18571 for satellites; for fixed or mobile stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A proximity detector detects objects which may interfere with a wireless antenna beam. The proximity detector includes infrared sensors, sonar detectors, motion detectors and optical devices to determine a range and bearing of objects that may interfere with the antenna beam.

When an object may be harmed or interfere with the antenna beam, an alarm may be activated to warn the user and/or the object of potential harm from the electro-magnetic energy transmitted by the directed antenna. Also, based on the proximity detector'"'"'s outputs, an antenna beam pattern may be changed to reduce the power at the object or the transmitted power may be reduced to prevent harm to the object.

Claims

1. A communication terminal that includes an antenna, an antenna controller and a proximity detector, the proximity detector comprising:

a sensor that detects a proximity of an object to at least one of the communication terminal and an antenna beam formed by the communication terminal, the antenna controller controlling the antenna based on an output of the proximity detector while said communication terminal continually maintains communication.

2. The communication terminal of claim 1, wherein based on an output of the sensor, the proximity detector determines a distance of the object from at least one of the communication terminal and the antenna beam of the antenna.

3. The communication terminal of claim 2, wherein the antenna controller changes a power output through the antenna based on the distance determined by the proximity detector.

4. The communication terminal of claim 3, wherein the antenna controller reduces the power output through the antenna based on the distance determined by the proximity detector.

5. The communication terminal of claim 2, wherein the antenna controller changes a direction of the antenna beam based on the distance determined by the proximity detector.

6. The communication terminal of claim 2, wherein the antenna controller changes a shape of the antenna beam based on the distance determined by the proximity detector.

7. The communication terminal of claim 2, further comprising an alarm, the antenna controller activating the alarm when the object is within a predetermined distance of at least on of the communication terminal and the antenna beam.

8. The communication terminal of claim 7, wherein the alarm comprises at least one of an audible alarm, a visual alarm and a mechanical alarm.

9. The communication terminal of claim 1, wherein the sensor of the proximity detector comprises at least one of a sonar sensor, an infrared sensor, a motion sensor and an optical sensor.

10. A method for operating a proximity detector and a communication terminal that includes the proximity detector, an antenna and an antenna controller, the method comprising:

detecting a proximity of an object to at least one of the communication terminal and an antenna beam formed by the communication terminal; and

controlling the antenna based on the detected proximity while continually maintaining communication.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a distance of the object from at least one of the communication terminal and the antenna beam of the antenna.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the controlling step comprises changing a power output through the antenna based on the distance determined by the determining step.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the changing step comprises reducing the power output through the antenna based on the distance determined by the determining step.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the changing step comprises changing a direction of the antenna beam based on the distance determined by the determining step.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the changing step comprises changing a shape of the antenna beam based on the distance determined by the determining step.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising activating an alarm, the antenna controller activating the alarm when the object is within a predetermined distance of at least on of the communication terminal and the antenna beam.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the alarm comprises at least one of an audible alarm, a visual alarm and a mechanical alarm.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the detecting step detects the proximity of the object by using at least one of a sonar sensor, an infrared sensor, a motion sensor and an optical sensor.