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

• US 7,499,722 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bell Northern Research, LLC (Hilco Inc. (d/b/a Hilco Global))
• Original Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: McDowell, Richard L., Mooney, Philip D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US11/369,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20060154687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 455/522, 455/575.5, 455/115.1, 455/550.1, 455/127.1, 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

Proximity regulation systems for use with a portable cell phone, a portable cell phone and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the proximity regulation system includes a location sensing subsystem configured to determine a location of a portable cell phone proximate a user by determining a mode of operation of the portable cell phone. 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 proximity regulation system for use with a portable cell phone, comprising:

a location sensing subsystem configured to determine a location of said portable cell phone proximate a user by determining a mode of operation of said portable cell phone; and

a power governing subsystem, coupled to said location sensing subsystem, configured to determine a proximity transmit power level of said portable cell phone based on said location.

2. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said proximity transmit power level is reduced when said location is within a vicinity of a user'"'"'s head.

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

4. The proximity regulation system 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 a data transfer operation mode.

5. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said portable cell phone is held in a clip associated with said user.

6. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said location sensing subsystem or said power governing subsystem is embodied in an integrated circuit.

7. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said location sensing subsystem or said power governing subsystem is embodied in a sequence of operating instructions.

8. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said location sensing subsystem is further configured to determine said location by employing a sensor of said portable cell phone.

9. The proximity regulation system as recited in claim 8 wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

a designated sensor employing changes in a surrounding magnetic field,

a contact sensor,

a clip sensor, and

a cradle sensor.

10. A method of operating a portable cell phone, comprising:

determining a location of said portable cell phone proximate a user based on a mode of operation of said portable cell phone;

providing a control signal based on said location; and

determining a proximity transmit power level of said portable cell phone based on said control signal.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said proximity transmit power level is reduced when said location is within a vicinity of a user'"'"'s head.

12. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said proximity transmit power level is limited to a predetermined maximum level.

13. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said proximity transmit power level is maximum when said portable cell phone is operating in a headset operation mode or a data transfer operation mode.

14. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said portable cell phone is held in a clip associated with said user.

15. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said determining said location is performed by a location sensing subsystem embodied in an integrated circuit.

16. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said determining a proximity transmit power level is performed by a power governing subsystem embodied in a sequence of operating instructions.

17. The method as recited in claim 10 further comprising determining said location employing a sensor of said portable cell phone.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

a designated sensor employing changes in a surrounding magnetic field,

a contact sensor,

a clip sensor, and

a cradle sensor.