Wireless communication device having an electromagnetic wave proximity sensor

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for generating a forward signal at a radio frequency, wherein the forward signal is a communication signal including at least one of a voice signal and a data signal;
• an antenna, coupled to the RF transmitter, for radiating the forward signal at the radio frequency to produce an electromagnetic field near the antenna and to communicate with a remote radio frequency (RF) receiver adapted to receive the forward signal, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the antenna to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device, and wherein the antenna produces a reflected signal responsive to receiving the forward signal;
• a signal sampler, coupled to the antenna, for sampling the forward signal and the reflected signal to produce a forward sampled signal and a reflected sampled signal, respectively;
• a signal detector, coupled to the signal sampler, for detecting at least one parameter of the forward sampled signal and at least one parameter of the reflected sampled signal to provide the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the signal detector, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the at least one parameter of the forward sampled signal and the at least one parameter of the reflected sampled signal.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for generating a forward signal at a radio frequency, wherein the forward signal is a communication signal including at least one of a voice signal and a data signal;
• a first radiator, forming a proximity sensor and coupled to the RF transmitter, for radiating the forward signal at the radio frequency to produce an electromagnetic field near the first radiator, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the first radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device, and wherein the first radiator produces a reflected signal responsive to receiving the forward signal;
• a second radiator, forming an antenna and coupled to the RF transmitter, for radiating the forward signal at the radio frequency to communicate with a remote radio frequency (RF) receiver adapted to receive the forward signal;
• a switch, coupled to the RF transmitter, the first radiator and the second radiator, for selectively coupling the RF transmitter to at least one of the first radiator and the second radiator;
• a signal sampler, coupled to the first radiator, for sampling the forward signal and the reflected signal to produce a forward sampled signal and a reflected sampled signal, respectively;
• a signal detector, coupled to the signal sampler, for detecting at least one parameter of the forward sampled signal and at least one parameter of the reflected sampled signal to provide the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the signal detector, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the at least one parameter of the forward sampled signal and the at least one parameter of the reflected sampled signal.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a local oscillator for generating a forward signal at a predetermined frequency;
• an antenna, coupled to the local oscillator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the antenna, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the antenna to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device, and wherein the antenna produces a reflected signal responsive to receiving the forward signal;
• a radio frequency (RF) receiver, coupled to the local oscillator and the antenna, for receiving signals transmitted from a remote RF transmitter from the antenna responsive to the predetermined frequency of the forward signal;
• a switch, coupled to the local oscillator and the antenna, for selectively coupling the local oscillator to the antenna;
• a signal sampler, coupled to the antenna, for sampling the forward signal and the reflected signal to produce a forward sampled signal and a reflected sampled signal, respectively;
• a signal detector, coupled to the signal sampler, for detecting at least one parameter of the forward sampled signal and at least one parameter of the reflected sampled signal to provide the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field;
• a controller, coupled to the signal detector, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the at least one parameter of the forward sampled signal and the at least one parameter of the reflected sampled signal.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a local oscillator for generating a forward signal at a predetermined frequency;
• a first radiator, forming a proximity sensor and coupled to the local oscillator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the first radiator, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the first radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device, and wherein the first radiator produces a reflected signal responsive to receiving the forward signal;
• a second radiator, forming an antenna, for receiving communication signals at radio frequencies transmitted from a remote RF transmitter from the antenna;
• a radio frequency (RF) receiver, coupled to the local oscillator and the second radiator, for receiving the communication signals responsive to the predetermined frequency of the forward signal;
• a switch, coupled to the local oscillator, the first radiator and the second radiator, for selectively coupling the local oscillator to at least one of the first radiator and the second radiator;
• a signal sampler, coupled to the first radiator, for sampling the forward signal and the reflected signal to produce a forward sampled signal and a reflected sampled signal, respectively;
• a signal detector, coupled to the signal sampler, for detecting at least one parameter of the forward sampled signal and at least one parameter of the reflected sampled signal to provide the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field;
• a controller, coupled to the signal detector, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the at least one parameter of the forward sampled signal and the at least one parameter of the reflected sampled signal.

A method for operating a wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising the steps of:

• generating a forward signal;
• radiating, by a radiator, the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the radiator, wherein the radiator produces a reflected signal responsive to receiving the forward signal, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device;
• providing an indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field, wherein the step of providing further comprises the steps of:
• sampling the forward signal and the reflected signal to produce a forward sampled signal and a reflected sampled signal;
• and
• detecting at least one parameter of the forward sampled signal and at least one parameter of the reflected sampled signal to provide the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field;
• and
• controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a signal generator having an output terminal providing a signal;
• a radiator having an input terminal, the input terminal of the radiator being coupled to the output terminal of the signal generator, the radiator radiating the signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the radiator, the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device including at least one of a portion of a human body, an element of a battery charger adapted to charge a battery of the wireless communication device, an element of a hang-up cup adapted to receive the wireless communication device, and an element of a portable holster adapted for carrying the wireless communication device;
• a sensor having an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal of the sensor being coupled to the input terminal of the radiator, the output terminal of the sensor providing first and second indications of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field corresponding to predetermined object being near to and far from the electromagnetic field, respectively;
• and
• a controller having an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal of the controller being coupled to the output terminal of the sensor, the output terminal of the controller controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device to operate in a first mode responsive to the first indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field and for controlling the circuitry to operate in a second mode responsive to the second indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a signal generator for generating a forward signal;
• a first radiator, coupled to the signal generator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the first radiator, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the first radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device including at least one of a portion of a human body, an element of a battery charger adapted to charge a battery of the wireless communication device, an element of a hang-up cup adapted to receive the wireless communication device, and an element of a portable holster adapted for carrving the wireless communication device;
• a sensor, coupled to the first radiator, for providing first and second indications of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field corresponding to predetermined object being near to and far from the electromagnetic field, respectively;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the sensor, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device to operate in a first mode responsive to the first indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field and for controlling the circuitry to operate in a second mode responsive to the second indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a signal generator for generating a forward signal, wherein the signal generator is a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for generating the forward signal at a radio frequency, and wherein the forward signal is a communication signal including at least one of a voice signal and a data signal;
• a first radiator, coupled to the signal generator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the first radiator, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the first radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device;
• a sensor, coupled to the first radiator, for providing an indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the sensor, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field,
• wherein either:
• the first radiator forms an antenna, coupled to the RF transmitter, for radiating the forward signal at the radio frequency to a remote radio frequency (RF) receiver adapted to receive the forward signal, or
• wherein the wireless communication device further comprises:
• a second radiator forming an antenna, coupled to the RF transmitter, for radiating the forward signal at the radio frequency to communicate with a remote radio frequency (RF) receiver adapted to receive the forward signal.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a signal generator for generating a forward signal, wherein the signal generator is a local oscillator for generating the forward signal at a predetermined frequency;
• a first radiator, coupled to the signal generator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the first radiator, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the first radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device;
• a sensor, coupled to the first radiator, for providing an indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field;
• a controller, coupled to the sensor, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field, and
• a radio frequency (RF) receiver, coupled to the local oscillator and one of the first radiator and a second radiator, for receiving signals from one of the first radiator and the second radiator, respectively, responsive to the predetermined frequency of the forward signal,
• wherein either:
• the first radiator forms an antenna, or
• wherein the wireless commnunication device further comprises:
• the second radiator forming an antenna.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a signal generator for generating a forward signal, wherein the signal generator generates the forward signal at a first frequency at a first point in time and at a second frequency at a second point in time;
• a first radiator, coupled to the signal generator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the first radiator, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the first radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device, wherein the first radiator produces a reflected signal at the first frequency at the first point in time and at the second frequency at the second point in time responsive to receiving the forward signal generated at the first frequency at the first point in time and at the second frequency at the second point in time, respectively;
• a sensor, coupled to the first radiator, for providing an indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field, wherein the sensor provides the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field responsive to the first frequency and the second frequency of the forward signal and the first frequency and the second frequency of the reflected signal;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the sensor, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a signal generator for generating a forward signal;
• a first radiator, coupled to the signal generator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the first radiator, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the first radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device;
• a second radiator, coupled to the signal generator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the second radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device;
• a sensor, coupled to the first radiator and the second radiator, for providing an indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field of the first radiator responsive to a change in an electric field of the first radiator and providing an indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field of the second radiator responsive to a change in a magnetic field of the second radiator;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the sensor, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field of the first radiator and the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field of the second radiator.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a signal generator for generating a forward signal;
• a first radiator, coupled to the signal generator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the first radiator, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amnount responsive to the proximity of the first radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device, wherein the predetermined object external to the wireless communication device is an element of a battery charger adapted to charge a battery of the wireless communication device;
• a sensor, coupled to the first radiator, for providing an indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the sensor, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a signal generator for generating a forward signal;
• a first radiator, coupled to the signal generator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the first radiator, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the first radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device, wherein the predetermined object external to the wireless communication device is an element of a hang-up cup adapted to receive the wireless communication device;
• a sensor, coupled to the first radiator, for providing an indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the sensor, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field.

A wireless communication device adapted for communicating with a remote station comprising:

• a signal generator for generating a forward signal;
• a first radiator, coupled to the signal generator, for radiating the forward signal to produce an electromagnetic field near the first radiator, wherein the electromagnetic field changes by a predetermined amount responsive to the proximity of the first radiator to a predetermined object external to the wireless communication device, wherein the predetermined object external to the wireless communication device is an element of a portable holster adapted for carrying the wireless communication device;
• a sensor, coupled to the first radiator, for providing an indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the sensor, for controlling circuitry in the wireless communication device responsive to the indication of the predetermined amount of change in the electromagnetic field.