RECORDAL OF POTENTIAL HARMFUL RADIATION

Abstract

A personal communication device provided with means for the detection of potential harmful radiation emitted by the device and which is provided with a data memory module that records the characteristics of the data detected to provide real time data for the study of potentially harmful radiation.

Claims

1. A personal communication device which detects potentially harmful radiation emitted by the device wherein the device is further provided with a data memory facility that records the characteristics of the potentially harmful radiation and the device is provided with means for generating a remedial signal to reduce the potential harm of the potentially harmful radiation that is detected.

2. A personal communication device according to claim 1, provided with the means for the recordal of the remedial signal.

3. A personal communication device according to claim 1 which further contains means for transmission of the data recorded concerning the potentially harmful radiation to a remote location.

4. A personal communication device according to claim 2 containing means for transmission of the data recorded concerning the remedial signal.

5. A personal communication device according to claim 3 in which the transmission means comprises the mobile telecommunication network.

6. A personal communication device according to claim 4 in which the same data recording system is employed for recording both the potentially harmful radiation and the remedial radiation.

7. A personal communication device according to claim 1 provided with signal analysis means which can analyse the potentially harmful radiation in a way that differentiates the signals that are related to voice communication and other signals such as data communication.

8. A personal communication device according to claim 1 which is a battery powered telecommunication handset.

9. A personal communication device according to claim 1 in which the means which detects the generation of potentially harmful radiation is a radio frequency signal detector.

10. A personal communication device according to claim 9 in which the detector comprises an antenna coupled to a signal analysis module.

11. A personal communication device according to claim 9 in which the means which detects the potentially harmful radiation is within the battery or the case of the personal communication device.

12. A device according to claim 9 comprising an electronic circuit that comprises an RF antenna and a microcontroller that operates the signal detection and signal recordal means.

13. A personal communication device according to claim 8 in which the means which detects the generation of potentially harmful radiation is the utilisation of one or more components within the handset of the device.

14. A personal communication device according to claim 13 in which at least one of the components is a transceiver.

15. A personal communication device according to claim 13 in which the use of the microphone is detected in order to tailor the protective signal.

16. A system according to claim 8, wherein data is recorded in the handset.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the handset includes means for the transmission of the recorded data.

18. A device according to claim 12, wherein the microcontroller operates the analysis of the received signal.

19. A device, according to claim 18, in which the microcontroller further activates a remedial signal.

20. A personal communication device according to claim 4 in which the transmission means comprises the mobile telecommunication network.

Description

[0052] FIG. 1 hereto is a schematic illustration of the architecture of a data recordal system according to the present invention.

[0053] The system comprises a detector for Radio Frequency Signals such as the Antenna (1) which feeds information concerning the signals it detects into the Radio Frequency Front End detector (2) which is powered on instruction from the microcontroller (3) from a power source (4) which is typically the battery of the mobile telephone handset. The signal which may be amplified in the RF Front End then passes to an analogue/digital convertor (5) which may be within the microcontroller (3). The signal is then analysed to determine if it includes potentially harmful radiation and if so the nature of the radiation, the analysis being performed within the microcontroller (3). Based on the nature of the signal analyser the microcontroller passes a signal to activate a memory module (6) which records the characteristics of the signal. Optionally the microcontroller may also activate a transmitter (not shown). The microcontroller may also activate the remedial signal generator which is typically a bioprotective field coil (9). The signal preferably passes through a low pass filter (7) through an audio amplifier (8) which is powered by the power source (4) to the coil. The characteristics of this signal may also be recorded in the memory module so that the characteristics of both the potentially damaging radiation and of the bioprotective remedial field are recorded. The microcontroller may also be provided with means (not shown) for verifying the charge remaining in the power source and for moving the system to a storage mode when the charge is low and waiting for recharging.

[0054] The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated by the activity flow chart that is FIG. 2 hereof.

[0055] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 the device of the invention includes means for detecting the radio frequency (RF) signal emitted by a personal communication device. The detection means determines the power or strength of the signal and determines if it has the potential to be harmful and contains a memory module for recording data obtained from the determination. If the signal is weak and is deemed not to be potentially harmful the detection means is deactivated for a certain period of time after which it is reactivated to verify if the situation has changed.

[0056] If however the signal is considered to have a strength that is potentially harmful several continuous measurements of the signal may be taken and analysed to determine the protocol (GSM, 3G, 4G etc) and mode (voice or data) of the signal and also the power level of the signal and the duration of the signal which can all be recorded if desired. This determination indicates if a remedial signal is required. The results of this determination can be recorded in the memory module. If the determination is that no remedial signal is required as indicated by any one or any combination of the aspects analysed the device will be deactivated for a certain period of time after which it can be reactivated to verify if the situation has changed.

[0057] If however the determination is that a remedial signal is required then the device determines the nature and level of remedial signal required based on the analysis of the recorded signal (protocol, mode, power, duration etc) and then activates the generation of the appropriate remedial signal. In a preferred embodiment the remedial signal generator contains a timer which ensures that the remedial signal is provided for at least a certain period of time. The timer being such that the provision of the remedial signal can only be deactivated after a specified period of time after the overall detection system concludes that a remedial signal is no longer required. This ensures that the remedial signal continues to be provided for a certain period of time beyond the conclusion of the overall detection system so that the remedial signal is effective. The provision of the remedial signal, the power and for strength and the duration of the remedial signal may be recorded in the memory module.

[0058] The entire system as described can be contained within a microprocessor and may be activated by the initial determination of the radiation by an antenna. The microprocessor being provided as a component within the communication device or as part of the battery or case system.

[0059] The system provides useful real time data concerning the generation of potentially harmful radiation from portable communication devices.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows an alternative architecture in which the operation of the cellular phone transceivers is used to activate the system. In this system when one or both of the transceivers (10 and 11) are active this is relayed to the microprocessor which activates the memory facility. The microprocessor can also activate the bioprotective field coil 19 by means of a signal that passes through a digital to analogue converter 15 to a driver for the coil 17. The microprocessor also monitors the microphone of the handset to determine if the user is speaking. This information can be used to adapt the remedial signal according to the proximity of the user to the handset to optimise the protection.

[0061] The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated by the activity flow chart that is FIG. 4.

[0062] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 the system is initiated by the activity of the transceiver to gather information concerning the status of the system such as signal strength(s), signal mode(s) and protocol(s) and signal timing(s). Additionally information from the microphone is collected and the signals are analysed and recorded by the recordal facility, for example the signal envelope, the signal strength and the duration of the signal may be analysed and recorded. On this basis it can be determined if a protective signal is required and the nature of the protective signal and the protective signal may then be activated for an interval determined by a timer. The nature and duration of the protective signal may also be recorded.

[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates the embodiment in which the case or battery is linked to the handset and shows how the link can be established.