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

• US 7,039,435 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US09/967,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20030064732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,677 Days
• Field of Search: 455/522, 455/456.1, 455/574, 455/575.5, 455/572, 455/127.1, 455/115.1, 455/550.1, 455/300, 455/301, 455/569.1, 455/575.6, 455/100
• US Class Current: 455/522
• 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. 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 and determines a transmit power level for said portable cell phone based on said network adjusted transmit power level and said proximity transmit power level.

2. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 1 wherein said location sensing subsystem determines said location with respect to a portion of a body of said user.

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

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

6. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 1 wherein said location sensing subsystem or said power governing subsystem is embodied in an integrated circuit.

7. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 1 wherein said proximity transmit power level is reduced to one level when said location is within a vicinity of a user'"'"'s head and reduced to a second level when said location is within a vicinity of a user'"'"'s midsection.

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