Mobile Phone RF Orientation Guidance for Lower User Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices radiate RF signals in all directions, exposing users to unnecessary radiation and draining battery life due to the user's body attenuating the signal, leading to increased power transmission.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a mobile device's GPS, compass, and database information to inform users of optimal device positioning to avoid aligning their body with the cell tower, combined with an RF signal shield to render transmissions more anisotropic, reducing radiation exposure and improving battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile device transmits RF signals in all directions (omni-directional transmission), then the signal coverage is maximized, but the user's body attenuates the signal leading to increased power consumption and radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from omni-directional to directional RF transmission. The mobile device determines the orientation angle of the cell tower relative to its antenna and directs RF signals preferentially toward the tower's location. This asymmetric transmission pattern reduces energy loss through the user's body while maintaining reliable signal coverage toward the intended receiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by calculating the orientation angle between the mobile device antenna and the cell tower before initiating RF transmission. Using GPS coordinates and antenna bearing information, the device pre-determines the optimal transmission direction, allowing it to adjust its radiation pattern in advance to avoid signal attenuation by the user's body.
2Reliability
If the mobile device increases radiated power to maintain signal quality when the user's body is between the device and cell tower, then the quality of service is maintained, but the user receives increased radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry to create a directional radiation pattern that concentrates RF energy toward the cell tower while minimizing exposure to the user's body. By calculating the orientation angle and adjusting the transmission pattern accordingly, the system maintains quality of service through efficient targeted transmission rather than increasing overall power, thereby reducing harmful radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by directing RF transmission energy specifically toward the cell tower's location rather than uniformly in all directions. The mobile device adjusts the spatial distribution of radiated energy based on the determined orientation angle, concentrating power where it is needed (toward the tower) while reducing power in directions where it would harmfully expose the user's body.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile device uses omni-directional transmission, then the signal reaches all directions, but only a small percentage of radiated energy reaches the cell tower base station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing asymmetric directional transmission based on the calculated orientation angle between the mobile device antenna and the cell tower. Instead of uniform omni-directional radiation, the system concentrates RF energy in the specific direction of the tower, maintaining signal reach to the intended receiver while dramatically reducing energy loss in unnecessary directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by adjusting the radiation pattern parameters based on the determined orientation angle. The mobile device modifies the spatial distribution parameters of RF transmission, transitioning from an isotropic pattern to a directional pattern that adapts to the relative position and orientation of the cell tower, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining signal reach.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces RF signal exposure to the user by up to 50% and increases battery life by optimizing device orientation and using an RF shield to direct signals more efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
A hardware RF signal shield is placed on the mobile device, such as a cell phone, to render mobile device, such as cell phone, RF transmissions more anisotropic
Implementation Method 2
the head/body of the user 10 attenuates the signal when the body is between the cell phone 20 and the cell tower 80
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a system, method and computer program product for reducing a mobile phone user's RF signal emissions exposure at the mobile device and increasing the battery life of an active mobile device. In accordance with the method, a hardware processor device obtains respective data representing: a current location of the actively communicating mobile device held by a user, a current orientation angle of the mobile device relative to a reference axis, an identification of a communications cell in which a communications receiver receiving communications from the mobile phone is located, and a location of the communications receiver. The processor computes an angle based on the data representing the current mobile device location, the current orientation angle and the location of the communications receiver, and compares the computed angle against a threshold angle. In response to the comparison, a warning is presented indicating that a user modify orientation of mobile device being held by the user.