Patent Publication Number: US-9891288-B2

Title: Devices and methods for power transmission level indication

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/753,082, entitled “Devices and Methods for Power Transmission Level Indication,” filed Jun. 29, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,568,554, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/332,245, entitled “Devices and Methods for Power Transmission Level Indication,” filed Dec. 10, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,071,696, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to wireless power transmission indication. More specifically the present invention relates to wireless power transmission indication in wireless communication devices. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Cellular telephones are tremendously popular. It is estimated that at the end of 2007 the total worldwide subscriber rate reached 3.3 billion. Close to 80% of the world&#39;s population enjoys mobile telephone coverage, a figure that will only increase. As cellular telephones gain popularity, their functionality has increased also. Standard service includes voice calling, caller ID, call waiting, and voice mail. Service providers also offer text messaging, push mail, navigation, and even a high-speed internet connection directly to telephones. Cellular phones frequently have cameras, with the resolution capabilities increasing with each new model. These cameras allow users to take pictures and videos. 
     Most cellular telephone models have at least two indicators on them. One of these indicators displays the amount of battery life, while the other indicator displays the amount of signal strength the cellular telephone is currently receiving. The battery life indicator shows an estimate of the amount of energy the battery contains. The battery life indicator can be a little confusing though, because cellular telephones do not constantly use the same amount of power. In fact, the power consumption greatly increases during a voice transmission than when at rest. The signal strength indicator displays an estimate of the quality of the signal the cellular telephone is currently receiving. 
     The power consumption by a cellular telephone increases during a voice transmission because the Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver goes from a rest state to a high-powered transmission level. The power transmission level varies during a voice transmission depending on the distance of the cellular telephone from the nearest cellular tower and the amount of environmental noise in between. “Environmental noise” refers to interference by electromagnetic waves, electronic devices, buildings, walls, etc. The quality of the voice transmission is measured by the cellular tower as well as most cellular telephones. 
     At the beginning of a voice transmission, the power transmission level is usually high, if not the highest. This ensures that the voice transmission will be clear at the beginning. The cellular tower measures the quality of the voice transmission and determines whether or not the power transmission level is too high. Since the power transmission level starts very high, if not the highest, it can usually be lowered to some extent. If this is the case, the cellular tower sends a message to the cellular telephone to lower the power transmission level within a few seconds after the voice transmission is initiated. Because the environment is constantly changing, the quality of the voice transmission is constantly monitored. If at any point it is determined that the voice quality is too low, then the cellular tower sends a message to the cellular telephone to raise the power transmission level. 
     The power transmission level has a direct relationship with the power consumption of the cellular telephone. Currently, there are fifteen different power transmission levels that network operators use. Most cellular telephone manufacturers give approximate battery life in terms of standby time and talk time. The talk time is usually a measure of how long the battery lasts at the highest power transmission level. In reality, the power transmission level can be lower than the highest power transmission level. This makes it hard for users to estimate how much talk time they have left. 
     A higher power transmission level also creates more electromagnetic radiation. Many people feel that they should closely monitor the amount of electromagnetic radiation they receive, especially around their head. Although studies on electromagnetic radiation from cellular telephones have been inconclusive so far, radiation in general has been linked to cancer. It may be many years before we know for sure what the effects are, but in the meantime, some people prefer to avoid exposure to radiation as a precaution. 
     What is needed in the art is a cellular telephone that indicates the instant power transmission level. With this knowledge cellular telephone users can more accurately estimate how much battery they are actually using. Users with low battery can determine whether or not to take a call based on the power transmission level. Users also can avoid voice calls that insist on using a high power transmission level while favoring voice calls that can use a lower power transmission level. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a wireless communications device comprising a wireless power transmission detector and a wireless power transmission indicator for displaying to a user the current level of wireless power transmission. Exemplary embodiments include a voltmeter and an ammeter within the wireless communications device. The voltmeter and ammeter take readings from the wireless transceiver circuit while the wireless communications device is on. A power logic stored on a memory within the wireless communications device converts the readings into a wireless power transmission level. If multiple wireless transceivers are present, then the power logic adds the power from all of them to output the total wireless power transmission level. The wireless power transmission level is output to an indicator on the wireless communications device where a user can view the indicator. Users with a low battery or who are discomforted by high power transmission levels can avoid both by choosing to use the wireless communications device only when the power transmission level is low. 
     Furthermore, exemplary embodiments include a true battery life indicator on the wireless communications device. The true battery life indicator gives an amount of time a battery powering the wireless communications device will last at the current wireless power transmission level. The power transmission level and the energy remaining on the battery powering the wireless communications device is input to a true battery life logic on the memory unit. With this information the true battery life logic can calculate the amount of time the battery will last at the current power transmission level. Users can determine more accurately whether or not to discontinue using the wireless communications device depending on how much battery life is left and the time left on the current task. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is a wireless communications device comprising a housing, a wireless transceiver coupled with the housing, a wireless power transmission detector within the housing and in communication with the wireless transceiver, a wireless power transmission indicator coupled with the housing and in communication with the wireless power transmission detector, and a memory unit within the housing and in communication with the wireless power transmission detector. The wireless power transmission detector detects a wireless power transmission level of the wireless transceiver which is displayed on the wireless power transmission indicator. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention is a wireless communications device comprising a housing, a wireless transceiver coupled with the housing, a voltmeter within the housing and in communication with the wireless transceiver, an ammeter within the housing and in communication with the wireless transceiver, a visual display coupled with the housing and in communication with the voltmeter and the ammeter, a memory unit within the housing and in communication with the voltmeter and ammeter, and a power logic on the memory unit. The power logic calculates a wireless power transmission level of the wireless transceiver which is displayed on the visual display. 
     In a further embodiment, the present invention is a method of displaying a wireless power transmission level on a wireless communications device having a wireless power transmission detector, comprising detecting a wireless power transmission level, and displaying the wireless power transmission level. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  shows a front view of a wireless communications device with a wireless power transmission indicator, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  shows a view of components of a wireless communications device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a wireless communications device with a multi-color wireless power transmission indicator on the display, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a wireless communications device with a multi-bar wireless power transmission indicator on the display, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  shows a wireless communications device with a multi-color wireless power transmission indicator on the housing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2D  shows a wireless communications device with an analog wireless power transmission indicator on the housing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of a calculation and display of a wireless power transmission level, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  shows a timer countdown true-life battery indicator, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  shows a true-life battery indicator, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a flowchart of a method of a true-life battery indicator onboard a wireless communications device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a wireless communications device comprising a wireless power transmission detector and a wireless power transmission indicator for displaying to a user the current level of wireless power transmission. Exemplary embodiments include a voltmeter and an ammeter within the wireless communications device. The voltmeter and ammeter take readings from the wireless transceiver circuit while the wireless communications device is on. A power logic stored on a memory within the wireless communications device converts the readings into a wireless power transmission level. If multiple wireless transceivers are present then the power logic adds the power from all of them to output the total wireless power transmission level. The wireless power transmission level is output to an indicator on the wireless communications device where a user can view it. Users with a low battery or who are discomforted by high power transmission levels can avoid them by choosing to use the wireless communications device only when the power transmission level is low. 
     Furthermore, exemplary embodiments include a true battery life indicator on the wireless communications device. The true battery life indicator gives an amount of time a battery powering the wireless communications device will last at the current wireless power transmission level. The power transmission level and the energy remaining on the battery powering the wireless communications device is input to a true battery life logic on the memory unit. With this information the true battery life logic can calculate the amount of time the battery will last at the current power transmission level. Users can determine more accurately whether or not to discontinue using the wireless communications device depending on how much battery life is left and the time left on the current task. 
     Definitions 
     “Wireless communications device,” as used in this disclosure, refers to any device capable of sending or receiving waves to communicate with other devices. Examples of wireless communications devices are cellular telephones, computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or any other device that utilizes at least one form of wireless communication. Forms of wireless communication include RF, BLUETOOTH, WiFi, etc. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a wireless communications device with a wireless power transmission indicator, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a front view of a wireless communications device  100  with a wireless power transmission indicator  106 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the front of wireless communications device  100  comprises a housing  104 , a display  102 , a keypad  108 , and a wireless power transmission indicator  106 . The housing  104  is preferably composed of a rigid and durable material, such as plastic or metal, to hold the components in place and prevent the components from being damaged. The display  102  is coupled to the housing  104  and is used to view outputs of the wireless communications device  100 . In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the display  102  is a liquid crystal display (LCD). The keypad  108  allows a user to input numbers, input letters, select functions, play games, etc. The wireless power transmission indicator  106  notifies the user of the wireless communications device  100  of the instant wireless power transmission level of the wireless communications device  100 . In the present embodiment, the wireless power transmission indicator  106  is shown as an icon in a corner of the display  102 . Different icon colors may represent different power transmission levels. In alternative embodiments, bars or numbers can be used instead of or as well as colors. The user, once notified, may take actions to decrease the wireless power transmission level. This may be accomplished by going outside, moving to a different room, etc. By reducing the wireless power transmission level, the wireless communications device  100  utilizes less power and a battery of the wireless communications device  100  can last longer. Using a lower wireless power transmission level may also help to alleviate fears of radiation. 
       FIG. 1B  shows a view of components of a wireless communications device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the components comprise a memory unit  110 , a processor  111 , a transceiver module  112 , a power source  114 , a voltmeter  113 , an ammeter  115 , and a power logic  116  on the memory unit  110 . The memory unit  110  stores an operating system for the wireless communications device  100 . The memory unit  110  additionally stores photos, music, games, telephone settings, telephone numbers, etc. The transceiver module  112  is utilized to communicate with wireless networks. This communication may use a cellular Radio Frequency (RF) connection, BLUETOOTH connection, WiFi connection, etc. The processor  111  runs the operating system of the wireless communications device  100  as well as other features and programs. The power source  114  provides power to each of the components of the wireless communications device  100 . The voltmeter  113  measures the electrical potential between two points of the transceiver module  112  in order to measure voltage. The ammeter  115  measures the current in the circuit of the transceiver module  112 . The power logic  116  on the memory unit  110  uses the results from the ammeter  115  and the voltmeter  113  to measure the wireless power transmission level of the wireless communications device  100 . The transmission voltage and current are combined into the formula
 
Power( P )=Current( I )×Voltage( V ).
 
The resulting wireless power transmission level is displayed to the user.
 
     Exemplary embodiments of the wireless communications device  100 , particularly cellular telephone embodiments, determine the wireless power transmission level from commands sent from a nearby cellular tower. Embodiments that receive this command do not require a voltmeter  113  or an ammeter  115  because the power logic  116  can simply read the wireless power transmission level from the latest command. These embodiments can have a voltmeter and ammeter for more accurate readings, or in case the command is not clear. These commands only control the wireless power transmission level of the cellular RF transceiver. Other wireless transceivers onboard these wireless communication devices require a voltmeter and an ammeter for wireless power transmission detection. 
     Other embodiments of the wireless communications device  100  feature multiple wireless transceivers. Multiple voltmeters and ammeters can be used to determine the total power transmission level of all the wireless transceivers of the wireless communications device  100 . Certain wireless communications devices, such as laptop computers, have many wireless transceiver modules which may run at the same time. A total power transmission level is desirable for these embodiments. In some embodiments the power logic  116  may reside on a dedicated memory module to ensure there are sufficient resources to detect and indicate the wireless power transmission level. Other wireless communications devices contain speakers. For embodiments of these devices, an audible alert is given once the wireless power transmission indicator hits a specified level. This specified level is selected by the user within the operating system of a wireless communications device such as the wireless communications device  100 . There are many embodiments of the wireless power transmission indicator.  FIGS. 2A-2D  show transmission power indicators, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a wireless communications device  200  with a multi-color wireless power transmission indicator  220  on the display, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of the colors on the multi-color wireless power transmission indicator  220  represents a different wireless power transmission level. Green indicates that the wireless communications device  200  is transmitting at a low level, yellow indicates the wireless communications device  200  is transmitting at a moderate level, and red indicates the wireless communications device  200  is transmitting at a high level. A multi-color wireless power transmission indicator  220  may appear anywhere on the display, constantly or at the touch of a button. When using the multi-color wireless power transmission indicator  220 , a user looking for a lower wireless power transmission level travels until the multi-color wireless power transmission indicator  220  turns green. 
       FIG. 2B  shows a wireless communications device  200  with a multi-bar wireless power transmission indicator  222  on a display, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the number of bars represents the wireless power transmission level. One bar represents a very low wireless power transmission level, while five bars represents a high wireless power transmission level. A user trying to minimize the wireless power transmission level travels to find an area where the number of bars is at its lowest. 
       FIG. 2C  shows a wireless communications device  200  with a multi-color wireless power transmission indicator  224  on the housing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of the colors on the multi-color wireless power transmission indicator  224  represents a different wireless power transmission level. Each of the colors of the multi-color wireless power transmission indicator  224  is a separate LED. Similar embodiments feature a single LED capable of emitting multiple colors of light. The multi-color wireless power transmission indicator  224  is located anywhere on the housing, allowing the user to glance at wireless power transmission indicator to see the wireless power transmission level at any time. 
       FIG. 2D  shows a wireless communications device  200  with an analog wireless power transmission indicator  226  on the housing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a needle on the analog wireless power transmission indicator  226  displays the wireless power transmission level. This allows the user to glance at the analog wireless power transmission indicator  226  to see the exact wireless power transmission level. An analog indicator has the advantage of expressing the wireless power transmission level on a continuous scale. Digital embodiments, such as LEDs or bars, give the user one of three ranges that the wireless power transmission level is within, yet are not specific about the exact wireless power transmission level. Analog wireless power transmission indicator  226  can be located anywhere on the housing of the wireless communications device  200 . 
     There are many other embodiments of the wireless power transmission indicator. Most cellular carriers utilize cellular telephones that operate on one of fifteen different wireless power transmission levels. An indicator showing exactly which of these fifteen levels the cellular telephone is operating at is beneficial for a cellular telephone. A device which has more than one wireless transceiver, especially those with concurrently operating transceivers, may benefit more from an analog indicator, or a digital indicator with more precision than a fifteen-level indicator. 
       FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of a calculation and display of a wireless power transmission level, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a voltmeter onboard a wireless communications device  100  detects a voltage  330  being used by a transceiver. An ammeter onboard the wireless communications device  100  detects a current  331  used by the transceiver. With the detected voltage  330  and current  331 , a power logic unit onboard a memory unit of the wireless communications device  100  calculates a power  332  being used by the transceiver. The power logic unit accomplishes this using the formula:
 
Power( P )=Current( I )×Voltage( V ).
 
The power  332  from the wireless transceiver is added to a total wireless power transmission  333  which includes any other active transceivers onboard the wireless communications device  100 . The method then queries whether there are any other wireless transceivers  334  onboard the wireless communications device  100 .
 
     If there are more transceivers, the method will cycle back to detect the voltage  330  and current  331  of each. The total power  332  of each subsequent transceiver is added together. When no more wireless transceivers are detected, the total power transmission level is calculated  335  by summing the wireless power transmission level of each transceiver. This power transmission level is displayed  336  on the wireless communications device  100  for the user to see. 
     The calculation process runs constantly in the background of the operating system of a wireless communications device such as the wireless communications device  100  or the wireless communications device  200 . This gives the user constant updates as to the wireless power transmission level. This way the user knows that the wireless power transmission level indicated is a substantially instant reading. Instant readings give the user the ability to travel short distances and become immediately aware once the wireless power transmission level has lowered to an acceptable level. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate wireless communications devices  400  with transmission power level indicators and true-life battery indicators, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4A  shows a timer countdown true-life battery indicator  440 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a transmission power level indicator  422  and a timer countdown true-life battery indicator  440  are both located on a display  102  of the wireless communications device  400 . The transmission power level indicator  422  shows the wireless power transmission level currently being utilized by wireless communications device  400 . This level directly affects the life of the battery of the wireless communications device  400 . The amount of time that this wireless power transmission level can be sustained by the wireless communications device  400  is shown by the timer countdown true-life battery indicator  440 . The power logic  116 , which also calculates the wireless power transmission level, reads the amount of energy left in the battery and calculates a time that the battery can last at the current wireless power transmission level using the formula:
 
Time( t )=Energy( e )/Power( P ).
 
In this embodiment, the true-life battery indicator is shown as a countdown clock. The clock counts down the amount of time left before the transmission is dropped due to insufficient energy in the battery.
 
       FIG. 4B  shows a true-life battery indicator  442 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the true-life battery indicator  442  is a graphical depiction of remaining battery time. A fully shaded rectangle represents a longer length of time than a rectangle with only a small shaded portion. The rectangle can be set to represent any period of time, with intervals set accordingly. The true-life battery indicator  442 , like the transmission power level indicator  422 , can take many forms. 
     Some wireless communications devices  400  are programmed to save everything and power down before a complete loss occurs with respect to the battery. For these devices the true-life battery indicator  442  displays the amount of time left until the device hits a critical battery level where the device will start to save and power down. Other devices simply turn off all wireless transceivers once the battery hits a critical level so that the user can stretch the remaining power  332  in the battery to power other functions of the device. This is particularly useful for PDAs since they also serve as calendars, address books, and store other useful information. The true-life battery indicator  442  displays the amount of time left until critical battery capacity on these devices as well. Other wireless communications devices  400  contain speakers. For embodiments of these devices, an audible alert is given once the true-life battery indicator  442  hits a specified time remaining. This specified time remaining is selected by the user within the operating system of the wireless communications device  400 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a flowchart of a method of providing a true-life battery indicator  442  onboard a wireless communications device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the method first detects the wireless power transmission level  550 . This is accomplished by using an ammeter  115  and voltmeter  113  onboard the wireless communications device  100  along with a power logic  116  on the memory unit  110  to make calculations. The power logic  116  then reads the amount of energy left in the battery  552  of the wireless communications device  100 . With these two values, the power logic  116  calculates the amount of time the battery  552  will last  554  under the wireless power transmission level  550  currently being used by the wireless communications device  100 . With the amount of time calculated, the wireless communications device  100  displays the battery time remaining  556  to the user. This lets the user know how long he can continue the transmission. The user decides if he can complete the task within the amount of time, and, if not, allows the user to seek a location yielding a lower wireless power transmission level  550 . The wireless communications device  100  repeats the method to frequently update the battery time remaining. 
     The foregoing disclosure of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents. 
     Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.