Adaptive Transmit Power Adjustment for Phone in Hand Detection Using Wearable Device

A method for confirming that a peripheral device is positioned within a predetermined distance of a wireless communications device, the method performed at the wireless communications device, the method comprising:

• signaling a peripheral device worn by a user to enter a low-power transmission mode responsive to receiving user input at the user's wireless communications device;
• receiving security data from the peripheral device that was transmitted in the low-power transmission mode;
• and
• determining that the peripheral device is positioned within a predetermined distance of the user's wireless communications device responsive to receiving the security data.

A wireless communications device comprising:

• a communications interface circuit configured to communicate data with a peripheral device being worn by a user utilizing the user's own skin as a transport medium;
• a user input/output (I/O) interface circuit configured to receive user input;
• and
• a processor circuit configured to:
• signal the peripheral device to enter a low-power transmission mode responsive to receiving user input;
• receive security data from the peripheral device that was transmitted in the low-power transmission mode;
• and
• determine that the peripheral device is positioned within a predetermined distance of the wireless communications device responsive to receiving the security data.

A method for confirming that a peripheral device being worn by a user is positioned within a predetermined distance of the user's wireless communications device, the method performed at the peripheral device, the method comprising:

• responsive to receiving a first control signal from the wireless communications device:
• entering a low-power transmission mode;
• retrieving a predetermined security code from a memory circuit;
• and
• transmitting the security data to the wireless communications device in the low-power transmission mode using the user's own skin as a transmission medium.

A peripheral device worn by a user comprising:

• a communications interface circuit configured to communicate signals and data with a wireless communications device using the user's own skin as a transmission medium;
• a memory circuit configured to store security data utilized by the wireless communications device to perform a predefined security function;
• and
• a processor circuit configured to:
• receive a first control signal from the wireless communications device via the communications interface circuit;
• and
• responsive to receiving the first control signal:
• enter a low-power transmission mode;
• retrieve a predetermined security code from the memory circuit;
• and
• transmit the security data to the wireless communications device in the low-power transmission mode via the communications interface circuit.