U.S. patent application number 15/144772 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-25 for cover for converting electromagnetic radiation in electronic devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Protek Innovations LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Protek Innovations LLC. Invention is credited to Shaun M. Baden, Wesley L. Negus, Sunny Trinh.
Application Number | 20160248281 15/144772 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55860107 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160248281 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baden; Shaun M. ; et
al. |
August 25, 2016 |
Cover For Converting Electromagnetic Radiation in Electronic
Devices
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for capturing at least a portion of the
radio frequency ("RF") radiation emitted from an electronic device
or other external sources and converting it into electric current
that can be used for a number of different functional purposes
including to drive a circuit that provides an indication when the
RF radiation is captured and its relative intensity. One of the
advantages of these techniques is that users can be protected from
the potential harmful effects of long-term exposure to the RF
radiation emitted from electronic devices, particularly for
wireless phones which are often held in close proximity to a user's
body. The indication can provide users with an indication that the
circuit is redirecting the RF radiation away from their bodies and
dissipating it as electrical energy.
Inventors: |
Baden; Shaun M.; (Studio
City, CA) ; Negus; Wesley L.; (Santa Monica, CA)
; Trinh; Sunny; (Calabasas, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Protek Innovations LLC |
Studio City |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Protek Innovations LLC
Studio City
CA
|
Family ID: |
55860107 |
Appl. No.: |
15/144772 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13480418 |
May 24, 2012 |
9337530 |
|
|
15144772 |
|
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|
61489641 |
May 24, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/35 20130101; H01Q
1/248 20130101; H02J 50/20 20160201; H01Q 5/378 20150115; H01Q
1/245 20130101; H01Q 1/273 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02J 50/20 20060101
H02J050/20; H02J 7/35 20060101 H02J007/35 |
Claims
1.-29. (canceled)
30. A method comprising: capturing, with a first antenna coupled to
a cover of an electronic device, at least a portion of radio
frequency ("RF") radiation emitted from a second antenna of the
electronic device; converting the captured RF radiation into
electric current with a conversion circuit electrically coupled to
the first antenna; and feeding the electric current to an indicator
circuit and a battery charging circuit; wherein the indicator
circuit is electrically coupled to the conversion circuit and
generates an indication when the captured RF radiation is converted
into the electric current; and wherein the battery charging circuit
is electrically coupled to the conversion circuit and is configured
to charge a battery of the electronic device from the electric
current.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first antenna is embedded
in the cover separate from the second antenna of the electronic
device.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the cover is fabricated of an
insulating material.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein the cover is a case adapted to
be removably coupled to the electronic device.
34. The method of claim 30, wherein the cover is integrated as part
of the electronic device separate from the second antenna of the
electronic device.
35. The method of claim 30, further comprising: generating an
indication when the captured RF radiation is converted into
electric current; and charging the battery of the electronic device
from the electric current with the battery charging circuit.
36. The method of claim 35, further comprising: harvesting solar
energy from solar cells disposed on the cover; and charging the
battery of the electronic device from the harvested solar
energy.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the charging of the battery
from the harvested solar energy occurs independently of the
charging of the battery from the electric current converted from
the captured RF radiation.
38. A cover for an electronic device, the cover comprising: a first
antenna configured to capture at least a portion of radio frequency
("RF") radiation emitted from a second antenna of the electronic
device; a conversion circuit electrically coupled to the first
antenna, the conversion circuit configured to convert the captured
RF radiation into electric current; an indicator circuit
electrically coupled to the conversion circuit, the indicator
circuit configured to generate an indication when the captured RF
radiation is converted into the electric current; and a battery
charging circuit electrically coupled to the conversion circuit,
the battery charging circuit configured to charge a battery of the
electronic device from the electric current converted from the
captured RF radiation.
39. The cover of claim 38, wherein the first antenna is embedded in
the cover separate from the second antenna of the electronic
device.
40. The cover of claim 39, wherein the cover is fabricated of an
insulating material.
41. The cover of claim 38, wherein the cover is a case adapted to
be removably coupled to the electronic device.
42. The cover of claim 38, wherein the cover is integrated as part
of the electronic device separate from the second antenna of the
electronic device.
43. The cover of claim 38, further comprising solar cells disposed
on the cover, wherein the solar cells are configured for harvesting
solar energy to charge the battery of the electronic device.
44. The cover of claim 43, wherein the battery charging circuit is
configured to charge the battery from the electric current
converted from the captured RF radiation independently of the
charging of the battery from the harvested solar energy.
45. The cover of claim 43, wherein the first antenna is a passive
antenna configured to couple with the RF radiation emitted from the
second antenna of the electronic device through electromagnetic
induction, and wherein the indication provided by the indication
circuit is a visual indication.
46. A cover for an electronic device comprising: a first antenna
configured to capture at least a portion of radio frequency ("RF")
radiation emitted from a second antenna of the electronic device; a
conversion circuit electrically coupled to the first antenna, the
conversion circuit configured to convert the captured RF radiation
into electric current; and an indicator circuit electrically
coupled to the conversion circuit, the indicator circuit configured
to generate an indication when the captured RF radiation is
converted into the electric current; wherein the first antenna is
embedded in the cover separate from the second antenna of the
electronic device; and wherein the cover is fabricated of an
insulating material and configured to couple to the electronic
device.
47. The cover of claim 46, further comprising solar cells disposed
on the cover, wherein the solar cells are configured for harvesting
solar energy to charge the battery of the electronic device.
48. The cover of claim 47, further comprising a battery charging
circuit electrically coupled to the conversion circuit, the battery
charging circuit configured to charge a battery of the electronic
device from the electric current.
49. The cover of claim 46, wherein the cover is adapted to
adhesively attach to the electronic device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/489,641 filed May 24, 2011, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] At least certain embodiments of the invention relate
generally to RF radiation, and particularly to converting RF
radiation in electronic devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electromagnetic radiation can include any form of
electromagnetic waves at any frequency, including radio waves,
microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultra-violet radiation, X-Rays
and Gamma Rays. Of particular interest is electromagnetic radiation
in the radio frequency ("RF") range. RF radiation originates from a
variety of electronic devices encountered in everyday life such as
wireless phones, music players, microwave ovens, computers, PDAs,
and so on. Consequently, exposure by a typical person to RF
radiation continues to increase with the prevalence of these
devices. Nowadays, the use of wireless phones and other RF
radiation generating devices has become so pervasive that many
users forego traditional hardline telephones in their homes for the
convenience of wireless connectivity and mobility.
[0004] The continued and ever-increasing exposure by the population
to RF radiation may have detrimental effects to users over time. It
is already known that EM radiation in the very high frequency form
of ultraviolet or X-rays can cause damage to Deoxyribonucleic Acid
("DNA") in humans. It has lately been proposed that lower frequency
RF radiation may also have an effect on DNA. As our understanding
of RF radiation and its possible detrimental effects continues to
develop, it is quite possible that a variety of yet unknown effects
from exposure to RF radiation may also be uncovered in the future.
This damage may likely be exacerbated by continued exposure at
close proximity. For example, use of a wireless telephone or
Bluetooth device held in proximity to a user's ear may increase RF
radiation exposure and may in turn damage sensitive areas to the
brain.
[0005] As previously observed with video display monitors, the
biological effects of RF radiation are ascertainable, particularly
when resonance conditions are met. It has been suggested that the
focus of studies which have showed no harmful effects, and which
have concluded that wireless telephone radiation is safe, depart
from the fact that, in real-life, wireless users are exposed to
this radiation numerous times during the course of a day and over
the course of several years. Most scientific studies have not taken
into account the chronic use of cell phones and other wireless
devices. As devices and other sources that emit RF radiation become
increasingly prevalent in our everyday lives, so too does the
likelihood of exposure by users of these devices. Indeed, in
current times it may be difficult, if not nearly impossible, for
users to avoid this exposure such as through use of microwaves,
interaction with personal computers, listening to portable music
players, or using hand-held video games, and so on.
SUMMARY
[0006] Methods and apparatuses for capturing and converting radio
frequency ("RF") radiation emitted from electronic devices are
disclosed. In at least certain embodiments, the method includes
capturing at least a portion of the RF radiation emitted from an
electronic device and converting it into electrical energy. This
electric energy can be used for a number of different functional
purposes such as to drive an indicator showing when the RF
radiation emitted from the electronic device is being converted as
well as what its relative intensity is. For example, the electrical
energy captured from the electronic device can be used to drive a
light-emitting diode ("LED"). In other embodiments, the electrical
energy can perform additional functionality such as charging a
battery of the electronic device.
[0007] The apparatus may include a cover for an electronic device.
In at least certain embodiments, the cover includes an embedded
circuit having an antenna adapted to capture at least a portion of
the RF radiation emitted from the device, an RF conversion circuit
to receive the captured RF radiation from the antenna and to
convert it into electrical energy, and an indicator circuit. The
electric energy can be used to drive the indicator circuit to
provide users with an indication that at least some of the RF
radiation emitted from the electronic device is being diverted away
from a user's body and converted into electrical energy. The RF
antenna can be positioned near the location where a user's body is
in contact or close proximity to the electronic device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a better understanding of at least certain embodiments,
reference will be made to the following Detailed Description, which
is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a number of RF radiation sources according to
one illustrative embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 2A depicts an apparatus including a cover for
converting RF radiation in an electronic device according to one
illustrative embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2B depicts an apparatus including a cover for
converting RF radiation in an electronic device according to one
illustrative embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 3A depicts an apparatus including a circuit for
converting RF radiation in an electronic device according to one
illustrative embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 3B depicts example voltage output waveforms according
to one illustrative embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts an example of a preferred embodiment of an
apparatus including a circuit for converting RF radiation in an
electronic device.
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a process for converting RF radiation in an
electronic device according to one illustrative embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 6 depicts an apparatus including a circuit for
converting RF radiation in an electronic device according to one
illustrative embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 7 depicts an apparatus including a circuit for
converting RF radiation in an electronic device according to one
illustrative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Throughout the description, for the purposes of explanation,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be
apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments
described herein may be practiced without some of these specific
details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are
shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring underlying
principles of embodiments of the invention.
[0019] A method and apparatus for capturing and converting RF
radiation emitted from an electronic device are disclosed. In at
least certain embodiments, the method includes capturing at least a
portion of the RF radiation emitted from an electronic device and
converting it into electric energy such as DC current. The DC
current can then be used for a number of different functional
purposes. For example, the DC current can be used to drive an
indicator circuit to provide an indication when the RF radiation is
being converted. The indicator circuit may include an LED that
varies its brightness according to the relative power level of the
RF radiation being absorbed. The electrical energy captured from
the electronic device can be used to drive the LED to visually
alert users during times when RF radiation is being converted and
to allow users to observe the relative intensity of the captured RF
radiation.
[0020] This is advantageous for several reasons. First, the LED can
give a visual indication to a user showing the user when--and how
much--RF radiation is being converted from their particular
electronic devices. As the portion of RF radiation emitted from the
users' devices increases, the LED can be configured to flash more
brightly and faster, indicating in a very palpable manner to users
the amount of RF radiation that is being dissipated in the circuit
described herein. This allows users to visualize and hence begin to
understand the amount of RF radiation emitted from their devices
that they are being exposed to at various times throughout the day,
both at times during use and also when idle. This enables users to
understand the amount of RF exposure their devices are subjecting
them to, and to further understand in a very real sense their
long-term exposure to these potentially harmful levels of RF
radiation. Second, having provided an indication to users about the
amount of RF radiation they are experiencing in their everyday
lives, the techniques described herein are also advantageous in
giving users the motivation to modify their behavior to avoid or at
least moderate their exposure to this radiation.
[0021] The techniques described herein are not limited to any
particular LED. The LED can be implemented on a flexible or rigid
substrate. In addition, the LED can be made of any inorganic or
organic materials, and can be of variable brightness. Organic
composites or polymers such as light-emitting polymers ("LEPs") or
organic LEDs ("OLEDs") can be used. The OLEDs and LEPs can be used
to create a visual indication that is not limited to a flashing
LED. For example, the LED can also be a display screen that lights
up during times when the RF radiation is being converted. These
display screens can be used to display any number of different
displays such as a particular pattern, information such as date and
time of day, a banner advertisement, or other display of
information; or any other text or pictures. The electrical energy
can also be used to drive other types of indicator circuits to
provide a palpable indication to users. The indicator circuits can
include sound or vibration, or any combination of these
indications. The electrical energy captured from the RF radiation
can also be used to perform additional functionality in the
electronic device such as charging a battery.
[0022] In one embodiment, all the electrical power necessary to
drive the indicator circuit such as an LED is derived from the
captured RF radiation, and in other embodiments, the electrical
power may be derived from additional sources such as the electronic
device's battery.
[0023] The apparatus disclosed herein may include a cover for the
electronic device. For the purposes of the present description, the
term "cover" is to be interpreted broadly to include a hard or soft
cover for the electronic device, a skin, or coating, etc. The cover
may also be built into, or otherwise be an integral part of, the
electronic device itself; and accordingly can be marketed and sold
as a complete package of device and cover together. The cover may
also be separate from the skin or outer shell of the electronic
device, or can be any combination of these. In one embodiment, the
cover can be a protective cover that may be in any form such as a
protective case, shielding, article of clothing, a sticker or other
adhesive material, or even a clip or clamp that can be secured to
an electronic device for the purposes of capturing RF radiation
emitted from the electronic device; or any combination of these
embodiments. The cover can be fabricated of any material such as an
insulating or conductive material, or metallic material, Velcro or
related material, or even a single molded piece of material of any
composition.
[0024] The cover may also include built-in electrical contacts
configured to interface with corresponding electrical contacts of
an electronic device such that the captured RF radiation can drive
the interface of the device. In such an embodiment, the device
software, hardware or combination of device software and hardware
can be used in combination with the embodiments described herein to
provide an indication originating from within the electronic device
itself. For example, the contacts on the cover can be aligned with
contacts built into the electronic device such as a device
interface to provide an indication from the device itself. For
example, the indication can be provided on the screen or other
indication mechanism of the electronic device alerting users during
times when RF radiation is being captured. In addition, the amount
of RF radiation over time can be calculated by the device such as
through the use of device software, hardware, or combination and
can be provided to users from the electronic device such as on the
screen or other output mechanism of the device. The contacts of the
cover can be driven by the electronic current generated by the
cover during RF radiation capture.
[0025] The apparatus can include a cover having an embedded antenna
adapted to capture at least a portion of the RF radiation emitted
from the device, a conversion circuit adapted to receive the
captured RF radiation from the antenna and to convert it into
electric current, and an indicator circuit to provide an indication
to users during times when RF radiation is being converted. The
indicator circuit can also provide an indication of the relative
intensity of the RF radiation being absorbed by the described
embodiments. As used herein, the term "antenna" refers to any
electrical device or material that sends and/or receives
electromagnetic waves. For instance, an antenna can be an RF
antenna or other device or material of equivalent functionality.
The antenna can be positioned at a location near where a user's
body would come into contact or proximity to the electronic device.
By capturing a portion of the RF radiation emitted from the
electronic device, users can be protected from that portion of RF
radiation which would otherwise be channeled into their bodies.
[0026] FIG. 1 depicts a number of RF radiation sources 100
according to one illustrative embodiment. There are many sources of
RF radiation that people are exposed to in their everyday lives
including wireless phones and headsets, computers, televisions,
wireless routers and gateways, cable modems, microwaves, hair
dryers, etc. One of the advantages of the techniques described
herein is that users can be protected from the potential harmful
effects of long-term exposure to the RF radiation emitted from
electronic devices, particularly wireless phones and headsets,
which are often held in close proximity to a user's body. A portion
of the RF radiation emitted from users' electronic devices can be
converted and dissipated in the indicator circuit of the apparatus
described herein. As such, these techniques can be used to avoid or
mitigate the long-term effects of RF radiation exposure by allowing
users to place a cover on his or her electronic devices that
functions to convert some of the RF radiation into electrical
energy. This electrical energy can be used to drive an indicator or
to perform other useful work for users, or both. For example, the
redirected electrical energy can be also used to drive various
electronic functionality of the electronic device such as charging
its battery.
[0027] FIG. 2A depicts an apparatus including a cover for
converting RF radiation in an electronic device according to one
embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, cover 201 is used to
convert RF radiation emitted from electronic device 200. Cover 201
includes an RF antenna 240 coupled with an RF conversion circuit
220. The RF conversion circuit 220 is further coupled with an
indicator circuit 210 via an interconnect 230. Antenna 240 is
adapted to capture at least a portion of the RF radiation emitted
from the electronic device 200. The RF radiation captured by
antenna 240 is then output to RF conversion circuit 220 where it is
converted into DC electric current supplied to indicator circuit
210. As described above, indicator circuit 210 can include any
visual, auditory, or other palpable indicator to alert users during
times when the RF radiation emitted from their electronic device
200 is being captured and converted into electrical energy. Antenna
240 may be either a passive antenna, or a partially passive and
partially active antenna. But a passive antenna is preferred as it
avoids interference with the electronic device. Antenna 240 may be
a dipole antenna, a meandering antenna, a monopole antenna, or any
other directional or omni-directional antenna that can capture RF
radiation.
[0028] In addition, antenna 240 may include multiple antennas such
as would be used in an embodiment where it is desirable to capture
multiple frequencies of RF radiation from an electronic device for
versatility or compatibility purposes. The multiple antenna
embodiment may be useful for capturing different frequencies known
to be used by different manufacturers, or the same manufacturer.
Table 1 lists a number of frequencies used by various current
manufacturers of wireless telephones and cellular carriers in the
U.S.:
TABLE-US-00001 Carrier Frequencies Technology AT&T 850 MHz
GSM/GPRS 1900 MHz EDGE 1.7/2.1 GHz UMTS/HSPA LTE Metro PCS 1900 MHz
CDMA 2000 1X Ev-Do 1.7/2.1 GHz LTE Nextel See Sprint iDEN Qualcomm
700 MHz MediaFLO Sprint 1900 MHz CDMA 2000 1X Ev-Do CDMA T-Mobile
1900 MHz GSM/GPRS 1.7/2.1 GHz EDGE UMTS LTE Verizon 850 MHz CDMA
1900 MHz CDMA 2000 1X Ev-Do 700 MHz LTE
[0029] The operation of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus
will now be described with reference to FIG. 2B. In the illustrated
embodiment, the antenna 290 of device 200 is shown superimposed on
top of cover 201. During operation of the electronic device,
antenna 290 emits an active RF waveform 270. This can be during a
phone call, for example, or at another active period of the
electronic device, although enough RF radiation may be emitted even
during passive periods of the electronic device. In addition, RF
radiation may also come from other external sources such as a
nearby cell tower (as depicted in FIG. 1). For illustrative
purposes, we will only refer to RF radiation that is generated from
the electronic device. When the active RF wave 270 is generated by
device antenna 290, part of the wave is captured by antenna 240 of
the cover 201 through electromagnetic induction. This captured part
of the active RF wave is shown as passive RF wave 275 in the
diagram. As described above, antenna 240 need not be limited to a
passive antenna, but in the preferred embodiment, a passive antenna
is used both for better cost efficiency and also so that it does
not interfere with the active device antenna 290 of the device.
Also as discussed above, antenna 240 can be a single or multiple
antennas. In this embodiment, once passive RF wave 275 is captured
by antenna 240, it is driven through to RF conversion circuit 220
where it gets converted to an electric current 280, and then driven
out to indicator circuit 210.
[0030] FIG. 3A depicts an example embodiment of an apparatus
including a circuit for converting RF radiation in an electronic
device. Apparatus 300 includes antenna 340, RF conversion circuit
320, and an indicator circuit 310. As discussed above, the antenna
can be any antenna, material, or device that captures RF radiation.
In the illustrated embodiment, RF conversion circuit 320 includes a
clamp circuit followed by a rectifier circuit. The clamp circuit
includes diode D2A in parallel with capacitor C2. The output of the
clamp circuit is Node 1. The rectifier circuit includes diode D2B
and capacitor C1. The output of the rectifier circuit is Node 2.
Resistor R1 is optional and can be configured by the circuit
designer to adjust the flow of current at the output 307 from RF
conversion circuit 320 to the indicator circuit 310. In the
illustrated diagram, indicator 310 includes a LED D1.
[0031] The operation of the apparatus 300 will now be described
with reference to FIG. 3B, which depicts example voltage output
waveforms output according to one illustrative embodiment. As shown
in the illustration, the input voltage 330 of the RF radiation
received by antenna 340 is a normal sinusoidal wave signal that
oscillates equally above and below zero volts (i.e., ground
potential). The voltage waveform 331 at the output of the clamping
circuit (Node 1) is also a sinusoidal wave signal, but it has been
shifted up by some positive value according to the voltage present
across capacitor C2 and limited to the difference between ground
and the forward bias voltage of the diode. The voltage waveform 332
after the rectifier circuit (Node 2) approximates a DC signal held
in a steady-state by capacitor C1 as shown in the diagram.
According to this embodiment therefore an input sinusoidal signal
associated with the RF radiation received at antenna 340 is
converted to an output DC signal at Node 2 that is used to drive
current through R1 into the indicator circuit 310.
[0032] FIG. 4 depicts an example of a preferred embodiment of an
apparatus including a circuit for converting RF radiation in an
electronic device. In this preferred embodiment, antenna 440 is a
dipole antenna. RF conversion circuit includes three stages of
clamping circuits followed by a rectifier circuit as shown in FIG.
3A. Apparatus 400 shows a first stage (D2A, C2, D2B, C1), a second
stage (D3A, C4, D3B, C3), and a third stage (D4A, C6, D4B, C5).
Embodiments however are not so limited as more or fewer stages can
be used depending on several design choices such as the size of the
circuit implementation, the size of the output resistor R1, the
size and desired brightness of the LED D1, and the amount of DC
current that drives the LED. In addition, other circuits known in
the art to convert RF signals into an electric current can also be
used. The techniques described herein are not limited to any
particular configuration of the RF conversion circuit. In addition,
the battery may be rechargeable and may be charged by the
techniques described herein in addition to the normal battery
charging mechanisms provided on the device itself such as
conventionally through a wall plug or AC adapter. Solar panels, or
any other energy harvesting methods may also be incorporated into
the cover apparatus to provide additional battery charging, or may
charge the battery independently of the battery charging mechanism
discussed above.
[0033] FIG. 5 depicts a process for converting RF radiation in an
electronic device according to one illustrative embodiment. Process
500 begins by capturing at least a portion of the RF radiation
emitted from a particular electronic device (operation 501). As
described above, this is done using an antenna or other equivalent
mechanism to divert part of the RF radiation to an antenna through
electromagnetic induction. The captured RF radiation is then
converted to DC current (operation 503) and provided to an
indicator circuit (operation 505). The indicator circuit provides
the visual indication at operation 507. In one embodiment, the
visual indication provides both an indication as to when the
absorption of RF radiation occurs and its relative intensity. This
completes process 500 according to one embodiment. As discussed
above, embodiments may include other types of indications and are
not limited to visual indications.
[0034] The electric energy generated from the captured RF radiation
can also be used to provide useful work. For example, the DC
current can be used to charge a battery of the electronic device as
shown in FIG. 6, which depicts an example apparatus including a
circuit for converting RF radiation in an electronic device. In the
illustrated embodiment, current 680 that is driven from the output
of RF conversion circuit 620 is used to drive a battery charging
circuit 698 that is output to a device battery circuit 699 of the
electronic device (not shown) to charge the battery of the
electronic device. Therefore the captured RF radiation 675 can be
used to charge the battery of the electronic device. This can be
accomplished by itself as shown in FIG. 6, or in combination with
driving the LED.
[0035] In addition, a switch can be used to allow users to turn off
the indication circuit during times when it is undesired, such as
during a theater performance. FIG. 7 depicts an example apparatus
including a cover having a switch 770 that is adapted to
selectively activate and deactivate the indicator 710, although
other embodiments are possible. In this embodiment, the switch 770
is located on the interconnect 730 between RF conversion circuit
720 and indicator circuit 710. When the switch 770 is placed in the
open position as shown in the diagram, interconnect 730 becomes an
open circuit and no current flows through to drive the indicator
710. When this happens, the indicator 710 will be shut off And
during times when the switch 770 is placed in the closed position
(not shown), interconnect 730 becomes a closed circuit, and current
can flow through to drive the indicator 710. When this happens, the
indicator 710 will be turned on. This functionality provides users
with a selection mechanism to turn on and off the indicator 710 as
desired. Such a switch 770 can be actuated by any user input device
in the field of art. This switch 770 can also be configured to
interface with the electronic device such that it is actuated
whenever a user switches their electronic device to silent mode,
for example.
[0036] Various techniques described herein may also be used in
combination with other RF radiation abatement techniques. For
example, RF radiation absorption materials such as paramagnetic
materials or other RF absorption materials or fabrics may be used
to further limit users' exposure to RF radiation emitted from their
electronic devices. Throughout the foregoing description, and for
the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the described
techniques. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art
that these techniques may be practiced without some of these
specific details. Although various embodiments which incorporate
these teachings have been shown and described in detail, those
skilled in the art could readily devise many other varied
embodiments or mechanisms to incorporate these techniques.
[0037] Also, embodiments may include various operations as set
forth above, fewer operations, or more operations; or operations in
an order. Accordingly, the scope and spirit of the invention should
be judged in terms of the claims which follow as well as the legal
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *