System and method for detecting the proximity of a body
First Claim
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1. A system for detecting the proximity of a body, comprising:
- a sensor for sensing radio frequency electromagnetic energy within a predetermined frequency band;
an antenna capable of having its impedance altered for changing the amount of radio frequency electromagnetic energy provided to the antenna via an antenna feed and reflected onto the antenna feed when the antenna is in proximity to the body, the antenna being detuned when not in proximity to the body and becoming tuned when in proximity to the body; and
a coupler for directing at least a part of the radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna to the sensor, wherein the sensor senses radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna for determining the proximity of the antenna to the body.
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Abstract
A system and method for sensing the proximity of an electronic device, in particular, a radio frequency mobile communication device such as a mobile telephone, wireless modem equipped portable computer, or the like to a body employs an antenna capable of altering its impedance for changing the amount of radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna when the antenna is in proximity to the body. The radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna is measured and used for determining proximity of the antenna to the body.
66 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A system for detecting the proximity of a body, comprising:
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a sensor for sensing radio frequency electromagnetic energy within a predetermined frequency band;
an antenna capable of having its impedance altered for changing the amount of radio frequency electromagnetic energy provided to the antenna via an antenna feed and reflected onto the antenna feed when the antenna is in proximity to the body, the antenna being detuned when not in proximity to the body and becoming tuned when in proximity to the body; and
a coupler for directing at least a part of the radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna to the sensor, wherein the sensor senses radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna for determining the proximity of the antenna to the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for detecting the proximity of a body, comprising:
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an antenna capable of having its impedance altered for changing the amount of radio frequency electromagnetic energy provided to the antenna via an antenna feed and reflected onto the antenna feed when the antenna is in proximity to the body, the antenna being detuned when not in proximity to the body and becoming tuned when in proximity to the body;
means for sensing radio frequency electromagnetic energy within a predetermined frequency band, the sensing means senses radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna;
means for directing at least a part of the radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna to the sensing means; and
means for determining proximity of the antenna to the body, the proximity determining means calculating a reflection coefficient from the radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna, the calculated reflection coefficient deviating from a predetermined reflection coefficient for the antenna in free space when the antenna is in proximity to the body, wherein the proximity determining means compares the reflection coefficient for the antenna with a threshold reflection coefficient for determining the proximity of the antenna to the body. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An electronic device, comprising:
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an antenna capable of having its impedance altered for changing the amount of radio frequency electromagnetic energy provided to the antenna via an antenna feed and reflected onto the antenna feed when the antenna is in proximity to the body, the antenna being detuned when not in proximity to the body and becoming tuned when in proximity to the body;
a sensor for sensing radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna within a predetermined frequency band;
a coupler for directing at least a part of the radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna to the sensor; and
a controller for determining a reflection coefficient from the radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna, the determined reflection coefficient deviating from a predetermined reflection coefficient for the antenna in free space when the antenna is in proximity to the body, wherein the controller compares the determined reflection coefficient for the antenna with a threshhold reflection coefficient for determining the proximity of the antenna to the body. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for detecting the proximity of a body, comprising:
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an antenna capable of having its impedance altered for changing the amount of radio frequency electromagnetic energy provided to the antenna via an antenna feed and reflected onto the antenna feed when the antenna is in proximity to the body, the antenna being detuned when not in proximity to the body and becoming tuned when in proximity to the body;
a sensor for sensing radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna within a predetermined frequency band;
a coupler for directing at least a part of the radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna to the sensor; and
a controller for determining a reflection coefficient from the radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna, the determined reflection coefficient deviating from a predetermined reflection coefficient for the antenna in free space when the antenna is in proximity to the body, wherein the controller compares the determined reflection coefficient for the antenna with a threshold reflection coefficient for determining the proximity of the antenna to the body. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A hand-held electronic device, comprising:
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an antenna capable of having its impedance altered for changing the amount of radio frequency electromagnetic energy provided to the antenna via an antenna feed and reflected onto the antenna feed when the antenna is in proximity to the body;
a sensor for sensing a radio frequency electromagnetic energy within a predetermined frequency band, the radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna is measured for determining the proximity of the antenna to the body;
a coupler for directing at least a part of the radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna to the sensor; and
a controller for determining proximity of the antenna to the body based on the radio frequency electromagnetic energy sensed by the sensor, wherein the controller lowers the power of the radio frequency electromagnetic energy provided to the antenna via the antenna feed when the antenna is in proximity to a body. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification