Power consumption monitor and alarm for a mobile means of communication

• US 6,018,646 A
• Filed: 08/22/1997
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Kivela, Seppo Kalervo, Myllymaki, Kimmo Sakari, Santomaa, Veli A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Redmon, Joy
• Application Number:
  US08/916,832
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 455/226.1, 455/226.2, 455/226.4, 455/234.2, 455/250.1, 455/115, 455/117, 455/126, 455/127, 455/67.1, 455/69, 455/70, 455/129, 455/423
• US Class Current: 455/115.4
• 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 17/23 Indication means, e.g. displays, alarms, audible means
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/309 Measuring or estimating channel quality parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3844 with means to alert the user that a certain exposure has been reached
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/18 TPC being performed according to specific parameters

Abstract

The invention relates to portable mobile communication device. The system according to the invention measures the power transmitted by the mobile communication device and the reflected power returning from the antenna. From these, the system calculates various parameters, for example, the short-term average value, the cumulative sum of transmitted power used during a call and the proportion of power reflected back. The user may set the limit values which he requires for these parameters, and the system will issue an alarm when these are exceeded. If the user so desires, the system may also continuously display the value of a desired quantity. With the aid of the system according to this invention, the user may monitor the benefit of different positions and ways in which the appliance is used and the power consumption of the mobile communication device in different situations, and thus avoid unfavorable operating situations and methods.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the consumption of power in a mobile communications device during use, wherein said device comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna connected thereto, said device controlled by a microprocessor, said system comprising:

a first monitor for sensing the power level of the signal from the transmitter to the antenna during use;

a second monitor for sensing the power level of the signal from the antenna to the receiver during use;

a processing module within the microprocessor constructed to receive the transmitted signal power level and the received signal power level and calculate an average value of power consumption over a selected time;

a storage module within the microprocessor for receiving and storing preset limits for said average power consumption; and

wherein said processing module compares said actual power consumption to said preset limit and generates an indication to the user of the mobile communications device when said average power consumption exceeds said limits, to allow the user to adjust the use of the communication device to lower power consumption.

2. A system for monitoring the consumption of power in a mobile communications device during use, wherein said device comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna connected thereto, said device controlled by a microprocessor, said system, as described in claim 1, further comprising an input device which enables the user to enter said preset limits in accordance with personal preference.

3. A system for monitoring the consumption of power in a mobile communications device during use, wherein said device comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna connected thereto, said device controlled by a microprocessor, said system, as described in claim 1, wherein the processing module is constructed to calculate the cumulative sum of the power consumption during a call.

4. A system for monitoring the consumption of power in a mobile communications device during use, wherein said device comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna connected thereto, said device controlled by a microprocessor, said system, as described in claim 1, wherein the processing module generates a continuous indication of power consumption during use of the communications device.