Radioterminals including satellite interlocks and related methods

• US 8,014,815 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2010
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US12/902,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20110028188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• Field of Search: 455/571, 455/522, 455/69, 455/569, 455/12.1, 455/13.4, 455/427, 455/430, 455/323, 455/456, 455/515, 455/500, 455/552.1, 455/62, 455/557, 455/13.1, 455/553.1, 455/563, 455/575.1, 455/575.9, 455/90.3, 455/344, 455/345, 455/556.1, 455/140
• US Class Current: 455/522
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18571 for satellites; for fixed or mobile stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A radioterminal may include a transceiver, a hands-free interface, and a satellite/hands-free interlock. The transceiver may be configured for space-based communications and for terrestrial wireless communications. The satellite/hands-free interlock may be configured to prevent the transceiver from transmitting space-based communications unless the hands-free interface is activated. Related methods are also discussed.

Claims

1. A hand-held radioterminal comprising:

a transceiver that is configured for space-based communications and for terrestrial wireless communications;

an antenna that is selectively configurable in at least a low profile position and/or orientation and a high profile position and/or orientation, wherein the low profile position and/or orientation of the antenna is different than the high profile position and/or orientation of the antenna; and

a satellite interlock that is configured to prevent the transceiver from transmitting communications at a high power and/or EIRP that is greater than or equal to a threshold responsive to the antenna being configured in the low profile position and/or orientation, to allow the transceiver to transmit communications at the high power and/or EIRP responsive to the antenna being configured in the high profile position and/or orientation, and to allow the transceiver to transmit communications at a low power and/or EIRP that is less than or equal to a threshold independent of the antenna'"'"'s position and/or orientation.

2. A hand-held radioterminal according to claim 1 wherein the high profile position and/or orientation of the antenna maintains a distance from the radioterminal and/or a user'"'"'s head that is greater than a distance maintained by the low profile position and/or orientation of the antenna from the radioterminal and/or the user'"'"'s head.

3. A hand-held radioterminal according to claim 1 further comprising:

a hand-held interface;

wherein a radiating element of the antenna is positioned at a first distance from the hand-held interface in the low profile position and/or orientation of the antenna, and wherein the radiating element of the antenna is positioned at a second distance from the hand-held interface in the high profile position and/or orientation of the antenna, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

4. A hand-held radioterminal according to claim 3 wherein the hand-held interface comprises a built-in speaker configured to provide audio output corresponding to wireless communications received by the transceiver in a next to the user'"'"'s ear mode when the hand-held interface is activated.

5. A hand-held radioterminal according to claim 4 wherein the antenna is pushed-in and/or inserted in the hand-held radioterminal when in the low profile position and/or orientation, and wherein the antenna is pulled-out of the hand-held radioterminal when in the high profile position and/or orientation.

6. A hand-held radioterminal according to claim 1 wherein the antenna is pushed-in and/or inserted in the hand-held radioterminal when in the low profile position and/or orientation, and wherein the antenna is pulled-out of the hand-held radioterminal when in the high profile position and/or orientation.