GB2354405A

GB2354405A - Portable communication apparatus having means for inhibiting transmission

Info

Publication number: GB2354405A
Application number: GB9924429A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Peter Hulbert
Original assignee: Roke Manor Research Ltd
Current assignee: Roke Manor Research Ltd
Priority date: 1999-09-16
Filing date: 1999-10-18
Publication date: 2001-03-21
Also published as: GB9921803D0; GB9924429D0

Abstract

A portable communications device which becomes operational automatically even when it is nominally switched off, <I>e.g</I>. a radio transceiver for transfer of data, includes means for inhibiting transmission when it would not be desirable, such as in an aircraft during take-off and landing. The inhibiting means may comprise a switch for disconnecting the transmitter from a power source, such as a plug-and-socket connector, a pressure-sensitive switch or a switch operated by a plug-in SIM or a disabling card.

Description

1 2354405 Improvements in or relating to the inhibition of electrical

apparatus.

This invention relates to the inhibition of electrical apparatus.

With the advent of high performance data processors, portable electronic equipment is becoming increasingly multi-mode and various items of equipment, which may or may not be co-located within the same housing, may be designed to facilitate automatic mutual data communication even when nominally switched off.

For example, in many items of electronic equipment, a radio transceiver which conforms to the so called 'Bluetooth' standard, may be incorporated, including for example some laptop computers. In some modes of operation, laptops thus equipped, which are nominally 'off in a briefcase, may nevertheless become operational automatically in order to exchange data with some other item of electronic apparatus, such as a mobile phone, using the 'Bluetooth' radio transceiver for data transfer purposes.

Another example is the use of a universal electronic device, which may be arranged to perform, within a single unitary housing, a large number of different functions, including perhaps the functions of, laptop computer, broadcast audio receiver, broadcast television receiver, digital VCR, CD Player, mobile phone and pager. Additionally, such a device may have 'Bluetooth' capability. Thus, devices are very likely to be available which might quite often be used in modes, which although not specifically instructed by a user to make radio transmission, are capable of making radio transmissions automatically and autonomously. Such devices may for example execute background

2 tasks requiring them to make radio transmissions, even when a primary mode of operation does not require radio transmissions to be made. Moreover, a user could easily trigger a mode of operation which causes radio transmissions to be made, either deliberately or inadvertently.

There are a number of environments in which it is considered unsafe for radio transmissions to be made. Examples of such environments include aircraft and petrol station forecourts. In the case of aircraft, the aviation authorities require that all devices capable of making a radio transmission are switched off from the time of boarding an aircraft to the time of leaving it. However, most airlines do permit the use of laptops, CD players etc. after take off and before landing. Thus it is apparent that, multi-mode 'Blue tooth' enabled devices or the like, would almost certainly be prohibited from use under these conditions because of the risk of inadvertent transmission. This would greatly reduce the utility of multi-mode devices, given the established expectation of being able to use most of their functionality's in aircraft.

An important object of this invention is to provide for the inhibition of multi-mode devices and the like, so that inadvertent unpermitted transmission becomes impossible.

According to the present invention, portable electronic apparatus which includes a transmitter having autonomous operational functionality producing in operation unpermitted electromagnetic radiation, also includes inhibit means additional to a normal on/off switch, which is effective to inhibit such autonomous operation so that production of the unpermitted radiation by the transmitter is thereby rendered impossible.

The said apparatus may be multi-mode equipment.

3 The transmitter may be a radio transmitter and the said inhibit means may comprise a switch arranged to disconnect the transmitter from a power source.

The switch may be located beneath an access cover used exclusively for the purpose of covering it so that the risk of inadvertent operation is obviated.

The cover may comprise, for example, a spring loaded flap.

Alternatively the design of the switch may be such that it requires significant force or manual dexterity to operate it.

The switch may comprise a plug and socket connector, which when the plug is disengaged from the connector, effects disconnection of the transmitter from the power source.

The plug may be accessible externally of the apparatus and be disengageable from the socket in which it is retained.

Additionally or alternatively the inhibit means may comprise an air pressure sensitive device which serves to effect disconnection of the transmitter automatically in dependence upon the air pressure to which it exposed.

The air pressure sensitive device may be a switch.

Alternatively the air pressure sensitive device may be arranged to effect vaination of a predetermined parameter in accordance with air pressure, the value of the parameter being sensed and operation of the apparatus being controlled in dependence upon the value of the parameter as sensed.

4 The device may include a potentiometer or the like which operates in dependence upon air pressure to control a voltage sensed by a signal processor which is effective to control the operational condition of the apparatus.

The pressure sensitive switch may comprise a low pressure chamber the internal volume of which changes in response to external air pressure thereby to effect switch operation in dependence thereon.

The chamber may comprise a bellows operatively associated with the switch so that it is constrained to operate in dependence thereon.

The switch may be arranged to be reset consequent upon return of the external air pressure to normal or to some predetermined pressure.

In the case of apparatus normally having some form of plug-in SIM device (Security Identity Module) which might control access to functionality and/or provide access to other services such as pay services, switch operation may be effected by or in dependence upon such SIM device.

For example the SIM device may be provided with electrical contacts so that when a SIM card is removed from the apparatus the transmitter power supply is disconnected.

Additionally/alternatively a SIM providing other services, could be produced without contacts in those positions which are used to Wvide for the transmitter power supply.

It is envisaged that the switch could be accompanied by software protection so that, for example, the switch must be closed and an access code must be entered before transmissions could again become possible.

Given the possibility of software failure, other possibilities may be preferred such as, arranging that when the switch is returned to transmit enable mode, a delay period is initialised and a warning message displayed/sounded.

Alternatively, a more mechanically foolproof approach would be to physically remove some part of the apparatus to inhibit operation and place this in the hand luggage.

This part could be a significant part of the radio transmitter hardware or simply a pin implementing an electrical switch function as aforesaid.

In a further embodiment, cabin staff/an airline could issue the user with a 'disabling' card.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1, is a generally schematic perspective view of apparatus having a transmitter inhibit switch; Figure 2, 1sa generally schematic diagram of apparatus having a pressure sensitive transmitter inhibit switch, and; Figure -3, is a. -,_ _ mlly schematic diagram of apparatus having a pressure sensitive potentiometer device.

6 Referring now to Figure 1, portable electronic apparatus comprises a housing or case 1, within which multi-mode equipment 2, is positioned which is provided with electrical power from a battery power source 3, via a plug and socket switch 4. The switch 4, comprises two parts. Namely, a pair of normally closed contacts 5, positioned within the housing 1, and a plug 6, external of the housing 1, which when pushed through a switch access aperture 7, in the housing 1, opens the contacts thereby to effect switch operation. The apparatus is also provided with a control panel 8, which provides for, inter-alia, normal on/off switch operation, but which doesn't inhibit operation of autonomous muti-mode communication operations which might automatically be initiated, producing transmissions which in some circumstances might not be permitted as has herein before been explained.

However, it will be appreciated that when the plug is inserted, the equipment 2, is totally disconnected from the battery 3, so that unpermitted transmissions can not be made. The aperture 7, may be located beneath a spring loaded flap in an alternative embodiment, not shown, whereby accidental operation of the switch is rendered very unlikely.

Referring now to Figure 2, wherein parts corresponding to those shown in Figure I bear the same numerical designations, in addition to, or as an alternative to the switch 4, the apparatus 1, is provided with a P'ressue sensitive switch 9, having a moving contact 10, which is attached to an atmospheric pressure sensitive bellows 11, and a fixed cg/ #Wt 1 Z. In use, the switch 9, is simply connected in place of, or in parallel with, the switch 4, as shown in Figure 1.

7 Referring now to Figure 3, wherein parts corresponding to those shown in Figures I and 2, bear the same numerical designations, in an alternative arrangement, the bellows 11, is arranged to operate a potentiometer 13, a centre tap terminal 14 of which is coupled to a processor 15, thereby to provide a pressure dependent signal. This has the advantage that atmospheric pressure variations can be compensated for. This may be done by building time constants of operation into the processor software so that switch operation across contacts 16, in the processor is effected only in response to rapid pressure changes associated with take off and perhaps landing. It will be appreciated that as with the switch 9, of Figure 2, the contacts 16, may be connected in parallel with or instead of the contacts 5 of Figure 1.

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Claims

CLAIMS.

1. Portable electronic apparatus, which includes a transmitter having autonomous operational functionality producing in operation unpermitted/unrequired electromagnetic radiation, also includes inhibit means additional to a normal on/off switch, which is effective to inhibit such autonomous operation so that production of the unpermitted radiation by the transmitter is thereby rendered substantially impossible.

2. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claiml, wherein the said apparatus is multi-mode equipment.

3. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, or Claim 2, wherein the transmitter is a radio transmitter and the said inhibit means is a switch arranged to disconnect the transmitter from a power source.

4. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the switch is located beneath an access cover used exclusively for the purpose of covering it so that the risk of inadvertent operation is obviated.

5. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the cover comprises a spring loaded flap.

6. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the design of the switch is such that it requires significant force or manual dexterity to operate it.

7. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 3, to 6, wherein the switch comprises a plug and socket, which when the plug is 9 disengaged from the socket, effects disconnection of the transmitter from the power source.

8. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the plug is accessible externally of the apparatus for disengagement from the socket in which it is retained.

9. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inhibit means comprises an air pressure sensitive device which serves to effect disconnection of the transmitter automatically in dependence upon the air pressure to which it exposed.

10. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the air pressure sensitive device is a switch.

11. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the air pressure sensitive device is arranged to effect variation of a predetermined parameter in accordance with air pressure, the value of the parameter being sensed and operation of the apparatus being controlled in dependence upon the value of the parameter as sensed.

12. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the device includes a potentiometer or the like, which operates in dependence upon air pressure to control a voltage sensed by a signal processor effective to control the operational condition of the apparatus.

13. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9, to 12, wherein the pressure sensitive device comprises a low pressure chamber the internal volume of which changes in response to external air pressure thereby to effect switch operation in dependence thereon.

14. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the chamber comprises a bellows operatively associated with the device so that it is constrained to operate in dependence thereon.

15. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9, to 14, wherein the device is arranged to be reset consequent upon return of the external air pressure to normal or to some predetermined pressure.

16. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the apparatus includes a plug-in SIM device (Security Identity Module) in dependence upon which inhibit operation is effected.

17. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the SIM device is provided with electrical contacts so that when a SIM card is removed from the apparatus a power supply is disconnected.

18. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein a SIM providing other services, is provided without contacts in those positions which are used to provide for the transmitter power supply.

19. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including software protection so that after inhibition, an access code must be entered before transmissions could again become possible.

20. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein after inhibition and before normal operation can be recommenced a delay period is initialised and a warning message displayed/sounded.

21. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein inhibition is qffpcted by physically removing some part of the apparatus.

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22. Portable electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to receive a 'disabling' card issued to a user by aircraft cabin staff/ or an airline.

23. Portable electronic apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.