Granted Patent B2

US 8,140,128 · App. 12/367,078 · Granted Mar 20, 2012

Abstract

Claims (16)

1. A portable cell phone, comprising:

a proximity regulation system, including:

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 portable cell phone 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 portable cell phone as recited in claim 1 wherein said proximity transmit power level is limited to a predetermined maximum level.

4. The portable cell phone 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 portable cell phone as recited in claim 1 wherein said portable cell phone is held in a clip associated with said user.

6. The portable cell phone as recited in claim 1 wherein said location sensing subsystem or said power governing subsystem is embodied in an integrated circuit.

7. The portable cell phone 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 portable cell phone 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 portable cell phone 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.

Assignments (9)