U.S. patent application number 13/611545 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-03 for mobile wireless communications device with proximity based transmitted power control and related methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED. Invention is credited to RICHARD JAMES BROGLE, ROBERTO GAUTIER, TOMMY CHUN WAH HO.
Application Number | 20130005413 13/611545 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46966503 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130005413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BROGLE; RICHARD JAMES ; et
al. |
January 3, 2013 |
MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WITH PROXIMITY BASED
TRANSMITTED POWER CONTROL AND RELATED METHODS
Abstract
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable
housing, at least one antenna carried by the portable housing, and
at least one capacitive proximity sensor carried by the portable
housing and configured to sense proximity of a human user adjacent
thereto. The mobile wireless communications device may also include
a wireless transmitter carried by the portable housing and coupled
to the at least one antenna, and a controller carried by the
portable housing and coupled to the wireless transmitter and the at
least one capacitive proximity sensor. The controller may be
configured to cooperate with the wireless transmitter to adjust
transmitted power output from the at least one antenna based upon
the at least one capacitive proximity sensor.
Inventors: |
BROGLE; RICHARD JAMES;
(IRVING, TX) ; HO; TOMMY CHUN WAH; (WATERLOO,
CA) ; GAUTIER; ROBERTO; (DAVIE, FL) |
Assignee: |
RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
WATERLOO
ON
|
Family ID: |
46966503 |
Appl. No.: |
13/611545 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13080333 |
Apr 5, 2011 |
|
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13611545 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/575.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01D 5/2405 20130101;
H04W 88/02 20130101; H04M 2250/12 20130101; H01Q 1/245 20130101;
H04W 52/283 20130101; H01Q 21/28 20130101; H01Q 1/243 20130101;
H04W 52/46 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/575.7 |
International
Class: |
H04W 52/38 20090101
H04W052/38 |
Claims
1. A mobile wireless communications device comprising: a portable
housing; at least one antenna carried by said portable housing; at
least one capacitive proximity sensor carried by said portable
housing and configured to sense proximity of a human user adjacent
thereto; a wireless transmitter carried by said portable housing
and coupled to said at least one antenna; and a controller carried
by said portable housing and coupled to said wireless transmitter
and said at least one capacitive proximity sensor, and configured
to cooperate with said wireless transmitter to adjust transmitted
power output from said at least one antenna based upon said at
least one capacitive proximity sensor.
2. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein
said at least one antenna comprises a plurality of antennas;
wherein said at least one capacitive proximity sensor comprises a
plurality of capacitive proximity sensors corresponding to said
plurality of antennas; and wherein said controller is configured to
cooperate with the wireless transmitter to adjust the transmitted
power output at each of said plurality of antennas based upon a
corresponding one of said plurality of capacitive proximity
sensors.
3. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1, further
comprising a display carried by said portable housing and coupled
to said controller; and wherein said at least one capacitive sensor
comprises at least one capacitive proximity sensor on said
display.
4. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein
said controller is configured to adjust the transmitted power
output to below a reduced power level based upon sensing the human
user immediately adjacent said at least one capacitive proximity
sensor.
5. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein
said controller is configured to adjust the transmitted power
output to a full power level based upon sensing the human user
spaced apart from said at least one capacitive proximity
sensor.
6. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein
said at least one antenna and said at least one capacitive
proximity sensor are adjacent one another.
7. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1, further
comprising a substrate carrying said at least one antenna and said
at one capacitive proximity sensor.
8. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein
said wireless transmitter comprises a cellular transmitter.
9. A mobile wireless communications device comprising: a portable
housing; a plurality of antennas carried by said portable housing;
a plurality of capacitive proximity sensors adjacent corresponding
ones of said plurality of antennas and carried by said portable
housing, and each configured to sense proximity of a human user
adjacent thereto; a wireless transmitter carried by said portable
housing and coupled to said plurality of antennas; and a controller
carried by said portable housing and coupled to said wireless
transmitter and said plurality of capacitive proximity sensors, and
configured to cooperate with said wireless transmitter to adjust
transmitted power output from said plurality of antennas based upon
said plurality of capacitive proximity sensors.
10. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9, further
comprising a display carried by said portable housing and coupled
to said controller; and wherein said plurality of capacitive
sensors comprises at least one capacitive proximity sensor on said
display.
11. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein
said controller is configured to adjust the transmitted power
output to below a reduced power level based upon sensing the human
user immediately adjacent at least one of said plurality of
capacitive proximity sensors.
12. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein
said controller is configured to adjust the transmitted power
output to a full power level based upon sensing the human user
spaced apart from at least one of said plurality of capacitive
proximity sensors.
13. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein
said wireless transmitter comprises a cellular transmitter.
14. A method of adjusting transmitted power output from at least
one antenna of a mobile wireless communications device comprising a
portable housing carrying the at least one antenna, at least one
capacitive proximity sensor, a wireless transmitter coupled to the
at least one antenna, and a controller coupled to the wireless
transmitter and the at least one capacitive proximity sensor, the
method comprising: using the at least one capacitive sensor to
sense proximity of a human user adjacent thereto; and using the
controller to cooperate with the wireless transmitter to adjust
transmitted power output from the at least one antenna based upon
the at least one capacitive proximity sensor.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one antenna
comprises a plurality of antennas; wherein the at least one
capacitive proximity sensor comprises a plurality of capacitive
proximity sensors corresponding to the plurality of antennas; and
wherein the method comprises using the controller to cooperate with
the wireless transmitter to adjust the transmitted power output at
each of the plurality of antennas based upon a corresponding one of
the plurality of capacitive proximity sensors.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the mobile wireless
communications device further comprises a display carried by the
portable housing and coupled to the controller; and wherein the at
least one capacitive sensor comprises at least one capacitive
proximity sensor on the display.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the controller adjusts the
transmitted power output to a reduced power level based upon
sensing the human user immediately adjacent the at least one
capacitive proximity sensor.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the controller adjusts the
transmitted power output to a full power level based upon sensing
the human user spaced apart from the at least one capacitive
proximity sensor.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one antenna and
the at least one capacitive proximity sensor are adjacent one
another.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the wireless transmitter
comprises a cellular transmitter.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of
wireless communications systems, and, more particularly, to mobile
wireless communications devices and related methods.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Mobile wireless communications systems continue to grow in
popularity and have become an integral part of both personal and
business communications. For example, cellular telephones allow
users to place and receive voice calls almost anywhere they travel.
Moreover, as cellular telephone technology has increased, so too
has the functionality of cellular devices and the different types
of devices available to users. For example, many cellular devices
now incorporate personal digital assistant (PDA) features such as
calendars, address books, task lists, etc. Moreover, such
multi-function devices may also allow users to wirelessly send and
receive electronic mail (email) messages and access the Internet
via a cellular network and/or a wireless local area network (WLAN),
for example.
[0003] Even so, as the functionality of cellular communications
devices continues to increase, so too does the demand for smaller
devices which are easier and more convenient for users to carry.
One challenge this poses for cellular device manufacturers is
designing the layout of components for additional functionality and
operational stability within the relatively limited amount of space
available for the components.
[0004] Moreover, with the ever increasing trend towards smaller
cell phone sizes with increased functionality, for a relatively
small phone, it may be increasingly difficult for cellular device
manufacturers to comply with certain requirements. For example, for
a relatively small phone having an internal antenna, the antenna
may be in relatively close proximity to the user's face or cheek,
which may make complying with applicable SAR and/or hearing aid
compatibility (HAC) requirements potentially difficult for
manufacturers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a mobile wireless
communications device in accordance with one example
embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the device of FIG.
1.
[0007] FIGS. 3a-3b are diagrams illustrating operation of the
device in FIG. 1 adjacent and removed from the human user head,
respectively.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a mobile wireless communications device in accordance with an
example embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating additional
components that may be included in the mobile wireless
communications device of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present description is made with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are shown.
However, many different embodiments may be used, and thus the
description should not be construed as limited to the embodiments
set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that
this disclosure will be thorough and complete. Like numbers refer
to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate
similar elements or steps in alternative embodiments.
[0011] In accordance with one exemplary aspect, a mobile wireless
communications device may include a portable housing, at least one
antenna carried by the portable housing, and at least one
capacitive proximity sensor carried by the portable housing and
configured to sense proximity of a human user adjacent thereto, for
example. The mobile wireless communications device may also include
a wireless transmitter carried by the portable housing and coupled
to the at least one antenna, and a controller carried by the
portable housing and coupled to the wireless transmitter and the at
least one capacitive proximity sensor. The controller may be
configured to cooperate with the wireless transmitter to adjust
transmitted power output from the at least one antenna based upon
the at least one capacitive proximity sensor, for example.
[0012] The at least one antenna may include a plurality of
antennas. The at least one capacitive proximity sensor may include
a plurality of capacitive proximity sensors corresponding to the
plurality of antennas. The controller may be configured to
cooperate with the wireless transmitter to adjust the transmitted
power output at each of the plurality of antennas based upon a
corresponding one of the plurality of capacitive proximity sensors,
for example.
[0013] The mobile wireless communications may further include a
display carried by the portable housing and coupled to the
controller. The at least one capacitive sensor may include at least
one capacitive proximity sensor on the display, for example.
[0014] The controller may be configured to adjust the transmitted
power output to a reduced power level based upon sensing the human
user immediately adjacent the at least one capacitive proximity
sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may be
configured to adjust the transmitted power output to a full power
level based upon sensing the human user spaced apart from the at
least one capacitive proximity sensor, for example.
[0015] The at least one antenna and the at least one capacitive
proximity sensor may be adjacent one another. The mobile wireless
communications device may further include a substrate carrying the
at least one antenna and the at one capacitive proximity sensor.
The wireless transmitter comprises a cellular transmitter, for
example.
[0016] A method aspect is directed to a method of adjusting
transmitted power output from at least one antenna of a mobile
wireless communications device that includes a portable housing
carrying the at least one antenna, at least one capacitive
proximity sensor, a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least
one antenna, and a controller coupled to the wireless transmitter
and the at least one capacitive proximity sensor. The method may
include using the at least one capacitive sensor to sense proximity
of a human user adjacent thereto, for example. The method may also
include using the controller to cooperate with the wireless
transmitter to adjust transmitted power output from the at least
one antenna based upon the at least one capacitive proximity
sensor, for example.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a mobile wireless communications
device 30 illustratively includes a portable housing 31. The
portable housing 31 includes upper and lower portions. The mobile
wireless communications device 30 also includes a substrate 32 also
carried by the portable housing 31. The substrate 32 may be printed
circuit board (PCB), for example, and may carry the components
described herein. In some embodiments, not shown, where the
substrate 32 is a PCB, the PCB may be replaced by or used in
conjunction with a metal chassis or other substrate, for example a
flexible substrate. The substrate 32 may also include a conductive
layer (not shown) defining a ground plane.
[0018] The exemplary device 30 further illustratively includes a
display 60 and a plurality of control keys including an "off hook"
(i.e., initiate phone call) key 61, an "on hook" (i.e., discontinue
phone call) key 62, a menu key 63, and a return or escape key 64.
Operation of the various device components and input keys, etc.,
will be described further below with reference to FIG. 5. While the
exemplary device 30 is a illustratively a mobile telephone, it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art the mobile wireless
communications device may be another type of device, for example, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), or a tablet personal
computer.
[0019] A wireless transmitter 33 is carried by the portable housing
31. The wireless transmitter 33 may be cellular transmitter, for
example. The wireless transmitter 33 may be another type of
transmitter, for example, a wireless local area network (WLAN)
transmitter, for example. Of course, the mobile wireless
communications device 30 may include more than one wireless
transmitter 33, and additional wireless communications circuitry,
for example, wireless receivers, as will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art.
[0020] The mobile wireless communications device 30 also includes
an antenna 34 carried by the portable housing 31 and coupled to the
wireless transmitter 33. The antenna 34 is illustratively carried
by the upper portion of the portable housing 31. The antenna 34 may
be carried by other part of the portable housing 31, for example,
the lower portion. The type of antenna 34 may correspond to the
type of wireless transmitter 33, for example. In other words, the
antenna 34 may be configured to operate in the cellular frequency
band. Additionally, the antenna 34 may be configured to operate in
more than one frequency band, which may include, for example, the
cellular frequency band, global positioning system (GPS) band, WLAN
frequency band, and/or other frequency bands.
[0021] The mobile wireless communications device 30 also includes a
capacitive proximity sensor 35 carried by the portable housing 31
and adjacent the antenna 34. More particularly, the capacitive
proximity sensor 35 is on the display 60, for example, and the
display may be a "touch screen display." The capacitive proximity
sensor 35 may be aligned with the antenna 34. The capacitive
proximity sensor 35 is configured to sense proximity of a human
user 37 adjacent thereto. In other words, the capacitive sensing
used for the touch screen display may also be used for sensing the
proximity of the human user 37 adjacent thereto. As will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, the capacitive proximity
sensor 35 may not be carried by or on the display 60, and may be
carried elsewhere in the portable housing 31.
[0022] A controller 36 is carried by the portable housing 31 and
coupled to the wireless transmitter 33 and the capacitive proximity
sensor 35. The controller 36 may be implemented using hardware
(e.g., memory, etc.) and software components, i.e.,
computer-readable instructions for causing the mobile device 30 to
perform the various functions or operations described herein.
[0023] The controller 36 is configured to cooperate with the
wireless transmitter 33 to adjust transmitted power output from the
antenna 34 based upon the capacitive proximity sensor 35. In other
words, the controller 36, based upon the sensed proximity of a
human user 37, advantageously adjusts the transmitted power output.
For example, the controller 36 is configured to reduce the
transmitted power output to a reduced power level based upon
sensing the human user 37 immediately adjacent the capacitive
proximity sensor 35. This may be particularly advantageous to
reduce the human user's exposure to radio frequency (RE) radiation
to within acceptable limits, and thus increase SAP compliance.
Additionally, RE performance degradation may be reduced. The
controller 36 may also adjust the transmitted power output based
upon the gain pattern of the antenna 34.
[0024] By way of example, suppose the mobile wireless
communications device 30 is spatially separated from the human
user, for example, on a table. The controller 36 cooperates with
the wireless transmitter 33 to operate a maximum transmitted power
output from the antenna 34. Upon the mobile wireless communications
device 30 receiving a call, for example, the human user 37 picks up
the device and places it adjacent their head (i.e. touching their
cheek and ear or having a relatively small distance between their
head and the device 30, for example, less than 6 inches) (FIG. 3a).
The controller 36 cooperates with the wireless transmitter 33 to
reduce the transmitted power output, for example, to an acceptable
level to meet SAR requirements, for the given proximity of the
human user to the capacitive proximity sensor 35 and the adjacent
antenna 34.
[0025] The controller 36 is also configured to increase the
transmitted power output to within a threshold power level based
upon sensing the human user 37 being separated from the capacitive
proximity sensor 35 (FIG. 3b). By way of the above example, suppose
the human user 37 places the call on "speakerphone" or begins to
write an email or type a text message, the human user will
typically remove the mobile wireless communications device 30 from
adjacent their head to an arm's length distance, for example, 24 to
30 inches. The capacitive proximity sensor 35 detects that it is no
longer adjacent the human user 37. The controller 36 cooperates
with the wireless transmitter 33 to increase the transmitted power
output, for example, to an acceptable level or full power level, to
meet SAR requirements, for the given proximity of the human user 37
to the capacitive proximity sensor 35 and the adjacent antenna 34.
Other distances detected by the capacitive proximity sensor 35 may
correspond to other transmitted power levels as will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 4, in another example embodiment, the
mobile wireless communications device 30' includes multiple
antennas 34a'-34b' carried by the upper portion of the portable
housing 31'. The antennas 34a'-34b' may be carried by different
portions of the portable housing 31'. For example, an antenna 34a'
may be carried by the top portion of the portable housing 31',
while the second antenna 34b' may be carried by the bottom portion
of the portable housing. Of course, the mobile wireless
communications device 30' may include more than two antennas, and
they may be carried by the same portion of the portable housing
31'.
[0027] The mobile wireless communications device 30' also includes
multiple capacitive proximity sensors 35a'-35b'. One capacitive
proximity sensor 35a' is carried by the display 60', and another
capacitive proximity sensor 35b' is not carried by the display. Of
course, both capacitive proximity sensors 35a'-35b' may be carried
by the display 60', or none of the capacitive proximity sensors may
be carried by the display. The capacitive proximity sensors
35a'-35b' correspond to the antennas 34a'-34b'. In some
embodiments, additional proximity sensors may be used in
conjunction with the capacitive proximity sensors 35a'-35b', and
may be another type of proximity sensor, for example, they may be
infrared and/or voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) based. The
capacitive proximity sensors 35a'-35b' may be carried elsewhere by
the portable housing 31' and adjacent corresponding ones of the
antennas 34a'-34b'.
[0028] The controller 36' is configured to cooperate with the
wireless transmitter 33' to adjust the transmitted power output at
each of the antennas 34a'-34b' based upon a corresponding one of
the capacitive proximity sensors 35a'-35b'. In some embodiments,
the controller 36' may adjust each of the antennas 34a'-34b'
independently.
[0029] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a base
station (not shown) may set or adjust the overall power level for
the device 30' or all the antennas 34a'-34b' to permit frequency
reuse in adjacent cells. Additionally, the antennas 34a'-34b' may
have different gain patterns. Thus, the controller 36' may further
adjust the transmitted power of each of the antennas 34a'-34b'
based upon a corresponding one of the capacitive proximity sensors
35a'-35b', and/or the different gain patterns, for example.
[0030] A method aspect is directed to a method of adjusting
transmitted power output from an antenna 34 of a mobile wireless
communications device 30 that includes a portable housing 31
carrying the antenna, a capacitive proximity sensor 35, a wireless
transmitter 33 coupled to the antenna 34, and a controller 36
coupled to the wireless transmitter and the capacitive proximity
sensor. The method includes using the capacitive sensor 35 to sense
proximity of a human user adjacent thereto. The method also
includes using the controller 36 to cooperate with the wireless
transmitter 33 to adjust transmitted power output from the antenna
33 based upon the capacitive proximity sensor 35.
[0031] Example components of a mobile wireless communications
device 1000 that may be used in accordance with the above-described
embodiments are further described below with reference to FIG. 5.
The device 1000 illustratively includes a housing 1200, a keyboard
or keypad 1400 and an output device 1600. The output device shown
is a display 1600, which may comprise a full graphic LCD. Other
types of output devices may alternatively be utilized. A processing
device 1800 is contained within the housing 1200 and is coupled
between the keypad 1400 and the display 1600. The processing device
1800 controls the operation of the display 1600, as well as the
overall operation of the mobile device 1000, in response to
actuation of keys on the keypad 1400.
[0032] The housing 1200 may be elongated vertically, or may take on
other sizes and shapes (including clamshell housing structures).
The keypad may include a mode selection key, or other hardware or
software for switching between text entry and telephony entry.
[0033] In addition to the processing device 1800, other parts of
the mobile device 1000 are shown schematically in FIG. 5. These
include a communications subsystem 1001; a short-range
communications subsystem 1020; the keypad 1400 and the display
1600, along with other input/output devices 1060, 1080, 1100 and
1120; as well as memory devices 1160, 1180 and various other device
subsystems 1201. The mobile device 1000 may comprise a two-way RF
communications device having data and, optionally, voice
communications capabilities. In addition, the mobile device 1000
may have the capability to communicate with other computer systems
via the Internet.
[0034] Operating system software executed by the processing device
1800 is stored in a persistent store, such as the flash memory
1160, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as a
read only memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition,
system software, specific device applications, or parts thereof,
may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as the random
access memory (RAM) 1180. Communications signals received by the
mobile device may also be stored in the RAM 1180.
[0035] The processing device 1800, in addition to its operating
system functions, enables execution of software applications
1300A-1300N on the device 1000. A predetermined set of applications
that control basic device operations, such as data and voice
communications 1300A and 1300B, may be installed on the device 1000
during manufacture. In addition, a personal information manager
(PIM) application may be installed during manufacture. The PIM may
be capable of organizing and managing data items, such as e-mail,
calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM
application may also be capable of sending and receiving data items
via a wireless network 1401. The PIM data items may be seamlessly
integrated, synchronized and updated via the wireless network 1401
with corresponding data items stored or associated with a host
computer system.
[0036] Communication functions, including data and voice
communications, are performed through the communications subsystem
1001, and possibly through the short-range communications
subsystem. The communications subsystem 1001 includes a receiver
1500, a transmitter 1520, and one or more antennas 1540 and 1560.
In addition, the communications subsystem 1001 also includes a
processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 1580,
and local oscillators (LOs) 1601. The specific design and
implementation of the communications subsystem 1001 is dependent
upon the communications network in which the mobile device 1000 is
intended to operate. For example, a mobile device 1000 may include
a communications subsystem 1001 designed to operate with the
Mobitex.TM., Data TACT.TM. or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
mobile data communications networks, and also designed to operate
with any of a variety of voice communications networks, such as
AMPS, TDMA, COMA, WCDMA, PCS, GSM, EDGE, etc. Other types of data
and voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be
utilized with the mobile device 1000. The mobile device 1000 may
also be compliant with other communications standards such as 3GSM,
3GPP, UMTS, 4G, etc.
[0037] Network access requirements vary depending upon the type of
communication system. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC
networks, mobile devices are registered on the network using a
unique personal identification number or PIN associated with each
device. In GPRS networks, however, network access is associated
with a subscriber or user of a device. A GPRS device therefore
typically involves use of a subscriber identity module, commonly
referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on a GPRS
network.
[0038] When required network registration or activation procedures
have been completed, the mobile device 1000 may send and receive
communications signals over the communication network 1401. Signals
received from the communications network 1401 by the antenna 1540
are routed to the receiver 1500, which provides for signal
amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel
selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digital conversion.
Analog-to-digital conversion of the received signal allows the DSP
1580 to perform more complex communications functions, such as
demodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, signals to be
transmitted to the network 1401 are processed (e.g. modulated and
encoded) by the DSP 1580 and are then provided to the transmitter
1520 for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion,
filtering, amplification and transmission to the communication
network 1401 (or networks) via the antenna 1560.
[0039] In addition to processing communications signals, the DSP
1580 provides for control of the receiver 1500 and the transmitter
1520. For example, gains applied to communications signals in the
receiver 1500 and transmitter 1520 may be adaptively controlled
through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP
1580.
[0040] In a data communications mode, a received signal, such as a
text message or web page download, is processed by the
communications subsystem 1001 and is input to the processing device
1800. The received signal is then further processed by the
processing device 1800 for an output to the display 1600, or
alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O device 1060. A device may
also be used to compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using
the keypad 1400 and/or some other auxiliary I/O device 1060, such
as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, or some other type
of input device. The composed data items may then be transmitted
over the communications network 1401 via the communications
subsystem 1001.
[0041] In a voice communications mode, overall operation of the
device is substantially similar to the data communications mode,
except that received signals are output to a speaker 1100, and
signals for transmission are generated by a microphone 1120.
Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message
recording subsystem, may also be implemented on the device 1000. In
addition, the display 1600 may also be utilized in voice
communications mode, for example to display the identity of a
calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call
related information.
[0042] The short-range communications subsystem enables
communication between the mobile device 1000 and other proximate
systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices.
For example, the short-range communications subsystem may include
an infrared device and associated circuits and components, a
Bluetooth.TM. communications module to provide for communication
with similarly-enabled systems and devices, or a near field
communications (NFC) sensor for communicating with a NFC device or
NFC tag via NFC communications.
[0043] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit
of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the
associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention
is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and
that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *