Irradiation self-protection from user telecommunication device

• US 8,463,288 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2010
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Kare, Jordin T., Nugent, Thomas J. Jr., Tegreene, Clarence T., Weaver, Thomas A., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Wood, Victoria Y. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US12/803,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20110309945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/686.6, 340/539.23, 340/568.1, 340/571, 455/456.1, 455/456.6, 455/115.1, 455/115.3, 455/115.4, 455/572, 455/575.1, 455/575.9, 455/226.1, 455/226.2, 455/226.4
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/16 Screening or neutralising undesirable influences from or using, atmospheric or terrestrial radiation or fields using atmospheric electricity or earth currents H05F3/00

Abstract

Exemplary methods, systems and components enable detection and/or monitoring and/or control of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure of target body-related portions of a user operating a telecommunication device. In some embodiments a risk-assessment output is provided based on a safety threshold or predetermined intrusion level of EMR exposure.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable storage media having encoded instructions for executing a method for managing electromagnetic irradiation, wherein the method includes:

acquiring estimated location parameters for a particular telecommunication device relative to a target body region of a user;

obtaining a radiation dosage value associated with electromagnetic emissions received at the target body region;

determining, based on the radiation dosage value, whether the particular telecommunication device is in an active operation mode that generates or is predicted to generate electromagnetic irradiation above a predetermined intrusion level; and

responsive to confirmation of the determined active operation mode, implementing remedial action to minimize the electromagnetic irradiation of the target body region.

2. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein obtaining the radiation dosage value includes:

obtaining the radiation dosage value from a sensor proximate to the target body region.

3. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the method further includes:

based on the obtained radiation dosage value, providing to the user and/or to a third party a risk assessment of irradiation exposure of one or more of the following types of target body-related regions;

head, eye, ear, heart, chest, stomach, torso, abdomen, groin, reproductive organ, proximate body surface, vulnerable organ, sensitive body part, cerebral portion, cardio-vascular portion, bionic repair, bionic replacement, implanted medical appliance, therapeutic device, health monitoring apparatus, testing unit, diagnostic component, body accessory.

4. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the method further includes:

obtaining an approximate radiation value for electromagnetic emissions generated from the particular telecommunication device during the active operation mode.

5. The computer program product of claim 4 wherein obtaining the approximate radiation value includes:

obtaining the approximate radiation value from a calibration table or sensor incorporated with the particular telecommunication device.

6. The computer program product of claim 4 wherein the method further includes:

processing the approximate radiation value in combination with the estimated location parameters to provide a risk assessment arising from such exposure of the target body region.

7. The computer program product of claim 6 wherein the method further includes:

providing the risk assessment based on a currently generated radiation value for the electromagnetic emissions of the particular telecommunication device.

8. The computer program product of claim 6 wherein the method further includes:

providing the risk assessment based on a cumulative record of electromagnetic emissions of the particular telecommunication device during a given time period.

9. The computer program product of claim 6 wherein the method further includes:

providing the risk assessment based on user-specified criteria.

10. The computer program product of claim 6 wherein the method further includes:

making an accessible data record indicating the risk assessment arising from such exposure of the target body region.

11. The computer program product of claim 6 wherein the method further includes:

providing to the user or to a third party an indication of the risk assessment.

12. The computer program product of claim 6 wherein the method further includes:

providing to the user a visual or audio or haptic indicator of the risk assessment.

13. The computer program product of claim 6 wherein the method further includes:

advising one or more current conversation recipients of the risk assessment.

14. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

causing the particular telecommunication device to change to a reduced power mode or dormant operation mode.

15. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

causing the particular telecommunication device to change to a different operation mode configured to generate radiation emissions at or below the predetermined intrusion level.

16. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

changing a transmission pattern of the particular telecommunication device for sending and/or receiving messages.

17. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the method further includes:

providing a time limit for the user and a recipient to finish a conversation.

18. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the method further includes:

switching to a different communication relay or cell tower or network carrier or retransmitter or satellite.

19. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

increasing an audio volume or voice sensitivity of the particular telecommunication device to facilitate greater separation between the particular telecommunication device and a user'"'"'s head.

20. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

increasing an audio volume during listening mode and/or increasing a voice sensitivity during speaking mode, for the particular telecommunication device.

21. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

suggesting to a user an orientation change of the particular telecommunication device relative to the target body region.

22. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

suggesting to a user a location change of the particular telecommunication device relative to the target body region.

23. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

causing a change in location and/or orientation of the particular telecommunication device.

24. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

causing the particular telecommunication device to operate intermittently or temporarily in the active operation mode that generates radiation emissions above the predetermined intrusion level.

25. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

causing the particular telecommunication device to change one or more of the following operation parameters to achieve a reduced intrusion level;

frequency, polarity, voltage, current, intensity, orientation, emission mode, transmission patter, audio volume, voice sensitivity.

26. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the method further includes:

communicating an output identifier indicative of currently and/or cumulatively generated radiation emissions above the predetermined intrusion level.

27. The computer program product of claim 26 wherein communicating the output identifier includes:

providing to the user a recognizable textual and/or visual and/or audio and/or sensory output indicative of currently and/or cumulatively generated radiation emissions above the predetermined intrusion level.

28. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

implementing user-selected remedial action to minimize exposure of the target body region to excessive electromagnetic emissions received from the particular telecommunication device.

29. The computer program product of claim 26 wherein communicating the output identifier includes:

transmitting to a control module a recognizable output signal indicative of currently and/or cumulatively generated radiation emissions above the predetermined intrusion level.

30. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

responsive to said transmitted recognizable output signal, implementing automatic or programmed consequential action by the control module operable to minimize exposure of the target body region to excessive electromagnetic emissions received from the particular telecommunication device.

31. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein acquiring estimated location parameters for the particular telecommunication device includes:

ascertaining a separation distance between the particular telecommunication device and the target body region.

32. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method further includes:

processing an obtained radiation value for electromagnetic emissions generated from the particular telecommunication device in combination with the separation distance between the particular telecommunication device and the target body region to provide a risk assessment arising from such exposure of the target body region.

33. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein ascertaining the separation distance between the particular telecommunication device and the target body region includes:

ascertaining the separation distance between an omni-directional or internal antenna of the particular telecommunication device and the target body region.

34. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein ascertaining the separation distance between the particular telecommunication device and the target body region includes:

ascertaining the separation distance between a directional or external antenna of the particular telecommunication device and the target body region.

35. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein ascertaining the separation distance between the particular telecommunication device and the target body region includes:

ascertaining the separation distance by processing data obtained by one or more of the following types of proximity measurement and/or location detection techniques;

ultrasound, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), radio frequency (RF), radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, capacitive sensor, electromagnetic reflection, phase-change, charge-coupled device (CCD) light detection, thermal sensor, image recognition, audio time of flight.

36. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the method further includes:

confirming an orientation factor for separation between the particular telecommunication device and the target body region, which orientation factor is determined relative to a transmission pattern of the particular telecommunication device.

37. The computer program product of claim 36 wherein the method further includes:

processing an obtained radiation value for electromagnetic emissions generated from the particular telecommunication device in combination with the orientation factor to provide a risk assessment arising from such exposure of the target body region.

38. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein the method further includes:

indicating a first risk assessment if the orientation factor is deemed relatively insignificant due to a uniform transmission pattern of the particular telecommunication device.

39. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein the method further includes:

indicating a second risk assessment at least partially based on a significant orientation factor due to a non-uniform and/or directional transmission pattern of the particular telecommunication device.

40. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein acquiring the estimated location parameters for the particular telecommunication device includes:

establishing location parameters for an identifiable receptacle holding the particular telecommunication device proximate to the target body region.

41. The computer program product of claim 40 wherein establishing location parameters for the identifiable receptacle includes:

establishing location parameters for the identifiable receptacle attached directly or indirectly to a known bodily location of the user.

42. The computer program product of claim 40 wherein establishing location parameters for the identifiable receptacle includes:

establishing location parameters for the identifiable receptacle attached or supported or held at a known location in a vehicle of the user.

43. The computer program product of claim 40 wherein establishing location parameters for the identifiable receptacle includes:

establishing location parameters for the identifiable receptacle attached or supported or held at a known location in a workspace or bailiwick of the user.

44. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein acquiring the estimated location parameters for the particular telecommunication device includes:

establishing location parameters for an identifiable clothing section or apparel accessory attaching or supporting or holding the particular telecommunication device proximate to the target body region.

45. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein acquiring the estimated parameters for the particular telecommunication device includes:

establishing location parameters for the particular telecommunication device attached or supported or held at a known location relative to the user.

46. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein acquiring the estimated location parameters for the particular telecommunication device includes:

establishing location parameters for one or more of the following types of telecommunication device;

mobile, hand-held, vehicle-mounted, desktop, head-attached, wrist-attached, hands-free, cell phone, transceiver, transmitter, receiver.

47. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein method acquiring the estimated location parameters for the particular telecommunication device includes:

establishing location coordinates for the particular telecommunication device relative to a medical or health related body accessory device subject to irradiation exposure.

48. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action includes:

implementing the remedial action to minimize exposure of one or more of the following types of target body-related regions to excessive electromagnetic emissions;

head, eye, ear, heart, chest, stomach, torso, abdomen, groin, reproductive organ, proximate body surface, vulnerable organ, sensitive body part, cerebral portion, cardio-vascular portion, bionic repair, bionic replacement, implanted medical appliance, therapeutic device, health monitoring apparatus, testing unit, diagnostic component, body accessory.

49. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the method further includes:

establishing the predetermined intrusion level based on a type of implanted or attached or user-related body accessory device to be protected from excessive electromagnetic emissions.

50. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the method further includes:

establishing the predetermined intrusion level based on a type of target body region to be protected from excessive electromagnetic emissions.

51. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the method further includes:

establishing the predetermined intrusion level based on a type or category of user to be protected from excessive electromagnetic emissions.

52. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action to minimize electromagnetic irradiation exposure includes:

implementing automatic or programmed consequential remedial action with respect to exposure of the target body region to attenuated electromagnetic emissions received from the particular telecommunication device.

53. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein implementing remedial action to minimize electromagnetic irradiation exposure includes:

implementing user-selective remedial action with respect to exposure of the target body region to attenuated electromagnetic emissions received from the particular telecommunication device.

54. A system for managing electromagnetic irradiation from a telecommunication device comprising:

proximity determination means for acquiring estimated location parameters for a particular telecommunication device relative to a target body region of a user;

radiation detection means for obtaining a radiation dosage value associated with electromagnetic emissions received at the target body region;

monitoring means for determining, based on the radiation dosage value, whether the particular telecommunication device is in an active operation mode that generates or is predicted to generate electromagnetic irradiation above a predetermined intrusion level; and

control module means configured to be responsive to confirmation of the determined active operation mode in order to implement consequential or selective remedial action with respect to exposure of the target body region to attenuated electromagnetic emissions received from the particular telecommunication device.