GB2336966A

GB2336966A - Mobile phone with remote handset

Info

Publication number: GB2336966A
Application number: GB9808887A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Tooth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-28
Filing date: 1998-04-28
Publication date: 1999-11-03
Also published as: GB9808887D0

Abstract

In order to reduce exposure of a user's head to electromagnetic radiation from a mobile telephone 2 a remote handset 4 is connected to the mobile telephone. The connection may be by way of a low power radio link or by way of a cable 6.

Description

2336966 MOBILE PHONE The present invention relates to a mobile phone,

notably to a mobile phone which provides a reduced 5 radiation hazard to the user's head.

Mobile phones are ubiquitous in today's society. Typically a mobile phone receives signals by means of radio waves from a remote transmitter and transmits signals by radio waves to a remote receiver. The remote transmitter and receiver are typically linked in turn to other transmitting and receiving stations and ultimately into the public telephone network.

Many people are concerned that the locally high flux of electromagnetic waves generated when a mobile phone transmits a signal may damage the brain tissue of a mobile phone user who makes frequent or prolonged use of the phone.

It has been proposed to shield a user's brain from electromagnetic radiation by providing a mobile phone with an external protective barrier to absorb or reflect radio waves, so that the phone sends a relatively directional signal on the side of the phone away from the user's head when making a call. The barrier is provided as a metal mesh which is sandwiched between a leather case for the phone and an inner fabric. This proposed solution adds to the weight of the phone, and may require the user to orient himself correctly in order to make a call.

According to the present invention there is provided a mobile phone including a handset adapted to be held in a user's hand when in use, and a separate transmitter,' adapted to receive data from the handset and to transmit said data to a remote receiver. The transmitter is suitable for carrying about the user's person, or in a briefcase or the like.

By separating the handset from the transmitter (or "base station"), the transmitter can be kept away from the user's head when a call is being made. Because radio waves diminish in intensity approximately with the inverse square of the distance from the source, a separation of a few feet between the transmitter and the user's head can effect a large reduction in the flux of electromagnetic radiation through the user's head.

The handset could be an entirely passive device, similar in construction to a conventional terrestrial telephone. Such a handset could be connected to a conventional (separate) mobile phone. The receiver and the transmitter of the mobile phone would therefore be housed together as in a conventional mobile phone. Alternatively, the handset could include a receiver for receiving data from a remote transmitter. The handset may include a keypad andlor a screen in the manner of a conventional mobile phone.

The handset could be connected to the transmitter by means of a cord or cable, however it is preferred that that the handset transmits signals or data to the transmitter by means of low power electromagnetic waves, notably radio waves. The power need only be sufficient to transmit signals over about a couple of meters or less, so that the transmitter may be kept in a pocket or a briefcase, for example. Radio waves of such low power are not considered to-present any hazard to a user.

To reduce interference it is preferred that the low power link operates on a different frequency from the high power link.

Where the handset is connected to the transmitter by a cord or cable, it may receive power from a battery.in the transmitter to reduce the size and/or weight of the handset.

In a preferred embodiment the transmitter is provided with means for storing telephone numbers, and for displaying and/or autodialling these numbers. Because the transmitter is not held in the user's hand, it can be made larger than a conventional mobile phone, or of a different shape.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a mobile phone in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a mobile phone in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a mobile phone in accordance with the present invention.

The mobile phone shown in Figure 1 comprises a 35 transmitter 2 and a separate handset 4. The handset 4 includes a receiver for receiving radio signals from a remote transmitter, a keypad and a screen. The handset 4 is battery powered and connected to the transmitter 2, or base station, via a cordless low power radio link. The base station transmitter 2 may be kept in a pocket or briefcase. It receives signals or data from the handset 4 and transmits these signals or data to a mobile phone network via a remote receiver.

Alternatively, the receiver which is located in the handset 4 could be in the base station 2, so that the base station 2 is responsible for receiving data from, and transmitting data to, the mobile phone network. In this case, the base station 2 acts as a relay station, forwarding data both ways: via a low power link to the handset 4 and a high power link to the remote receiver and transmitter.

The mobile phone shown in Figure 2 is similar, but the handset 4 and the base station 2 are connected by a cord 6, which enables power to be supplied to the handset 4 from the base station 2. Here, the base station 2 is a conventional mobile phone which is provided with a suitable socket for receiving the cord 6.

The base station 2 in Figure 3 is also a conventional mobile phone, connected to a handset 4 by a cord 6. In this embodiment, the handset 4 is a passive "receiver" comprising an earphone and a mouthpiece. The handset 4 is of similar construction to a conventional terrestrial telephone receiver, although it could be made smaller for convenience.

The invention provides a mobile phone which can be used like a conventional mobile phone, with a reduced danger of brain damage.

Claims

1. A mobile phone including a handset adapted to be held in a user's hand when in use, and a separate transmitter adapted to receive data from the handset and to transmit said data to a remote receiver.

2. A mobile phone as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the handset is a passive device similar a conventional terrestrial telephone.

3. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transmitter is part of a conventional mobile phone.

4. A mobile phone as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the handset transmits signals or data to the transmitter by means of low power electromagnetic waves.

5. A mobile phone as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the electromagnetic waves are radio waves.

6. A mobile phone as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the handset to the transmitter are of a different frequency from electromagnetic waves transmitted by the transmitter.

7. A mobile phone substantially as herein described with reference to or as shown in the drawing.