Methods and apparatus for reducing cellular telephone radiation exposure

• US 9,301,080 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2012
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dugan Patents, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Dugan
• Inventors: Dugan, Brian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fang, Keith
• Application Number:
  US13/485,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20120309382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,398 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: H04M 1/0256 wherein the modules are operable in the detached state, e.g. one module for the user interface and one module for the transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

In some aspects, a cellular telephone includes (1) a user interface portion having a communications circuit; and (2) a cellular portion having a first communications circuit adapted to communicate with the communications circuit of the user interface portion and a second communications circuit adapted to communicate with a cellular network. The cellular portion is removably coupled to the user interface portion so as to allow a user of the cellular telephone to communicate over a cellular network by using the user interface portion while the cellular portion is separated from the user interface portion. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims

1. A cellular telephone comprising:

a first portion including a user interface and a low radiation level communications circuit; and

a second portion including a low radiation level communications circuit and a cellular communications circuit;

wherein the low radiation level communication circuits of the first and second portions are operative to communicate with each other both when the first and second portions are coupled and when they are separated;

wherein the first and second portions are removably coupled to each other so as to allow a user of the cellular telephone to communicate over a cellular network by communicating through the first portion to the second portion while the second portion is separated from the first portion;

wherein a first communication power level, between the first portion and the second portion, is lower than a second communication power level, between the second portion and the cellular network, to reduce radiation exposure to the user,

wherein the second portion is operable to sense that the second portion is separated from the first portion,

wherein the second portion is operable to automatically increase the second communication power level to a third communication power level when the second portion senses that the second portion is separated from the first portion;

wherein the first communication power level of the first portion is provided by a first power supply that includes a battery; and

wherein the second communication power level of the second portion is provided by a second power supply.

2. The cellular telephone of claim 1 wherein the first portion includes a display and a battery.

3. The cellular telephone of claim 2 wherein the second portion includes a plug for connecting the second portion to a line voltage.

4. The cellular telephone of claim 1 wherein the second portion is operable at the second communication power level when physically coupled to the first portion.

5. The cellular telephone of claim 4 wherein the second portion switches to the second communication power level automatically when the second portion is physically coupled to the first portion.

6. The cellular telephone of claim 1 wherein the third communication power level is greater than a maximum electromagnetic radiation power level permissible for a cellular telephone.

7. A method comprising:

providing a cellular telephone having;

a first portion having a low radiation level communications circuit and a user interface; and

a second portion having a non-cellular communications circuit adapted to communicate with the low radiation level communications circuit of the first portion and a cellular communications circuit adapted to communicate with a cellular network concurrent with the non-cellular communications circuit communicating with the low radiation level communications circuit of the first portion, wherein the second portion is adapted to relay information between the first portion and the cellular network and wherein a first communication power level, between the first portion and the second portion, is lower than a second communication power level, between the second portion and the cellular network, to reduce radiation exposure to a user;

wherein the first communication power level of the first portion is provided by a first power supply that includes a battery; and

wherein the second communication power level of the second portion is provided by a second power supply;

detaching the second portion from the first portion;

using the first portion to place a cellular telephone call relayed through the second portion when the second portion is detached from the first portion,

sensing, by the second portion, that the second portion is separated from the first portion, and

increasing, automatically, the second communication power level to a third communication power level when the second portion senses that the second portion is separated from the first portion.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein using the first portion includes powering the first portion with a battery to power a display.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein using the first portion includes powering the second portion with a line voltage.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

operating the second portion at the second communication power level when the second portion is physically coupled to the first portion.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

switching the second portion to the second communication power level automatically when the second portion is physically coupled to the first portion.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the third communication power level is greater than a maximum electromagnetic radiation power level permissible for a cellular telephone.

13. A wireless phone comprising:

a low radiation (LR) wireless communicator including a user interface; and

a high radiation (HR) wireless communicator including a high power wireless network communication circuit,

wherein the LR and HR wireless communicators are adapted to physically couple together for conventional use as a wireless phone, and

wherein the LR and HR wireless communicators are adapted to be physically separated and still allow use of the wireless phone to make calls on a wireless network wherein the HR wireless communicator relays communications signals between the LR wireless communicator and the wireless network and wherein a first communication power level, between the LR and HR wireless communicators, is lower than a second communication power level, between the HR wireless communicator and the wireless network, to reduce radiation exposure to a user,

wherein the HR wireless communicator is operable to sense that the HR wireless communicator is separated from the LR wireless communicator,

wherein the HR wireless communicator is operable to automatically increase the second communication power level to a third communication power level when the HR wireless communicator senses that the HR wireless communicator is separated from the LR wireless communicator

wherein the first communication power level of the LR wireless communicator is provided by a first power supply that includes a battery; and

wherein the second communication power level of the HR wireless communicator is provided by a second power supply.

14. The wireless phone of claim 13 wherein the LR and HR wireless communicators are further adapted to allow a user to make calls on a wireless network when separated without exposing the user to radiation levels of a conventional wireless phone.

15. The wireless phone of claim 13 wherein the LR wireless communicator does not include a wireless network communication circuit.

16. The wireless phone of claim 13 wherein the HR wireless communicator does not include a user interface.

17. The wireless phone of claim 13 wherein the HR wireless communicator is operable at the second communication power level when physically coupled to the LR wireless communicator.

18. The wireless phone of claim 17 wherein the HR wireless communicator switches to the second communication power level automatically when the HR wireless communicator is physically coupled to the LR wireless communicator.

19. The wireless phone of claim 13 wherein the LR wireless communicator is adapted to communicate with the HR wireless communicator via a wireless router.

20. The wireless phone of claim 13 wherein the third communication power level is greater than a maximum electromagnetic radiation power level permissible for a cellular telephone.