GB2463727A

GB2463727A - A receptacle to enclose a wireless communication device and prevent the device from communicating with the wireless network

Info

Publication number: GB2463727A
Application number: GB0817683A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeff Winterborne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-26
Filing date: 2008-09-26
Publication date: 2010-03-31
Also published as: GB0817683D0

Abstract

A receptacle 1, for receiving a wireless communication device, comprising a material which is operative to interfere with signals transmitted to or from a wireless communication device received within the receptacle sufficient to prevent the device communicating with a wireless network and wherein the receptacle is suitable for being carried about a person. When the wireless communication device (e.g. a mobile phone) is enclosed within the receptacle, which may be a pouch, it is effectively disconnected from the network, even when the device is still switched on. Persons attempting to call the communications device will therefore get a message alerting them that the phone is out of signal range. In this way, incoming communications may be avoided without having to turn the communications device off.

Description

RECEPTACLE FOR RECEIVING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

DEVICE

This invention relates to a receptacle for receiving a wireless communication device and particularly but not exclusively for receiving a handheld wireless communication device, such as a mobile phone.

Currently if a user of a wireless communication device, such as a mobile phone, wishes to disconnect from the communication network, the user must turn off the mobile phone. With some networks, it is then evident to any inbound caller that the phone has been turned off since the caller is immediately transferred to the user's voice mail. This gives the caller the impression that the user does not wish to be contacted, which is undesirable for a number of reasons. For example, this may cause offence to the caller. In addition, an employee may wish to escape being contacted by his employer without it being obvious to the employer that this is his/her intention.

It is an object of the present invention to address this problem.

According to the invention there is provided a receptacle for receiving a wireless communication device, said receptacle comprising a material which is operative to interfere with signals transmitted to or from a wireless communication device received within the receptacle sufficient to prevent the device communicating with a wireless network and wherein the receptacle is suitable for being carried about a person. a

When a communication device is received within the receptacle, said material interferes with or at least substantially blocks signals from or to the communication device. This effectively disconnects the communication device from a communication network which it is otherwise connected to, while the communication device is turned on. Persons attempting to call the communication device will therefore get a message alerting them that the phone is out of signal range. In this way, incoming communications may be avoided without having to turn the communication device off.

The device only affects signals transmitted to or from a communication device received within the receptacle and does not affect signals transmitted to or from other communication devices. In addition, the device is passive, i.e. it does not require a power supply in order to function.

The receptacle is preferably thin walled and defines a cavity provided with an opening at one end. The receptacle may comprise one wall, for example the receptacle may be a pouch. Alternatively the receptacle may comprise a number of walls connected by

any suitable means.

Preferably the opening is dimensioned such that a communication device may be received through the opening and into the cavity. When a communication device is disposed within the cavity, the receptacle preferably at least substantially encloses the communication device.

The receptacle may comprise a means of closing the opening. The means of closing may be separate to the receptacle or may be unitarily formed with the receptacle and preferably releasably engages with the receptacle or the remainder of the receptacle respectively. The means of releasable engagement may be a popper or poppers, a hook and ioop fastener (e.g. Velcro1M), a drawstring or other suitable means.

When the opening in the receptacle is closed, the receptacle preferably entirely encloses a communication device disposed within the cavity.

The receptacle may be of a similar general shape to the communication device.

Preferably the dimensions of the receptacle are such that the communication device forms a snug fit within the wall or walls of the receptacle when the communication device is disposed in the cavity.

Preferably the material reflects signals transmitted to or from a communication device received within the receptacle. More preferably the material at least substantially reflects said signals. Yet more preferably the material entirely reflects said signals.

Preferably the material is of sufficiently light weight that the device is suitable for being carried about a person during normal everyday activities. a

Preferably the ratio of the radiant flux per unit area of the material to the radiant flux per unit area of a black body at the same temperature is less than 0.5. More preferably the ratio is less than 0.1. Still yet more preferably the ratio is 0.055.

An example of a suitable material is that sold under the trademark C3' by C3 Nederland, Beijershorst, dijk 5 7271, NW Borculo, Nederland.

The communication device may be a mobile phone or any other wireless communication device.

The signals are preferably electromagnetic waves of a frequency typically used by the communication device. Where the communication device is a mobile phone, the signals are preferably electromagnetic waves having a frequency in the range 800 MHz to 2000 MHz.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a receptacle being an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the receptacle shown in Figure 1 with a lid of the receptacle in an open position.

Figure 3 shows a cross section view taken along the line A-A of Figure 2 Figure 4 shows a cross section view taken along the line B-B of Figure 2 Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a mobile phone for use with the device shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Referring to figures 1 to 4 there is shown a receptacle 1.

The receptacle 1 comprises generally rectangular front and rear walls 2, 3 attached along side and lower edges 5, 6 of the walls 2, 3 by lines of stitching 4. The lines of stitching 4 extend substantially along lines parallel to the side and lower edges 5, 6 and are indented slightly from the respective side and lower edges 5, 6.

A cavity 7 is formed between the front and rear walls 2, 3, with the shape of the cavity 7 defined by the stitching 4. An opening 9 into the cavity 7 is provided at an upper edge 8 of the receptacle 1, The front and rear walls 2, 3 each comprise a layer of a material 10 sold under the trademark C3' by C3 Nederland, Beijershorst, dijk 5 7271, NW Borculo, Nederland sandwiched between two layers of fabric material 11.

The layer of material 10 has a ratio of radiant flux per unit area to the radiant flux per unit area of a black body at the same temperature of 0.055.

As shown in Figure 4, the horizontal cross section of the cavity 7 is generally oval in shape. The cavity 7 is of dimensions suitable to receive a mobile phone, such as that shown in Figure 5. It is of course to be appreciated that other wireless communication devices may be placed in the cavity.

The rear wall 3 of the receptacle 1 is longer than the front wall 2 and is folded over the front wall 2 to form a lid 12. The lid 12 is releasably attached to the front wall 2 of the receptacle 1 by a pair of press studs 13. It will of course be appreciated that other means of fastening be used, such as by Velcro, the use of a drawstring or any other

suitable means.

When a communication device is inserted fully within the cavity 7, the lid 12 of the receptacle 1 may be closed. The surrounding walls 2, 3 of the receptacle 1 interfere with signals transmitted to or from the communication device. This effectively disconnects the communication device from a communication network which it is otherwise connected to, while the communication device is turned on.

It is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment.

Claims

Claims 1. A receptacle for receiving a wireless communication device, said receptacle comprising a material which is operative to interfere with signals transmitted to or from a wireless communication device received within the receptacle sufficient to prevent the device communicating with a wireless network and wherein the receptacle is suitable for being carried about a person.
2. A receptacle according to claim 1 wherein the receptacle defines a cavity provided with an opening.
3. A receptacle according to claim 2 wherein the opening is dimensioned such that a communication device may be received through the opening and into the cavity.
4. A receptacle according to either of claims 2 or 3 wherein the receptacle at least substantially encloses the communication device when a communication *: : : device is disposed within the cavity. * * ****
5. A receptacle according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the receptacle comprises a means of closing the opening. * * * ** S. * S S S *
6. A receptacle according to claim 5 wherein the receptacle entirely encloses a communication device disposed within the cavity when the opening in the receptacle is closed.
7. A receptacle according to any preceding claim wherein the material reflects signals transmitted to or from a communication device received within the receptacle.
8. A receptacle according to any preceding claim wherein the material is of sufficiently light weight that the device is suitable for being carried about a person during normal everyday activities.
9. A receptacle according to any preceding claim wherein the ratio of the radiant flux per unit area of the material to the radiant flux per unit area of a black body at the same temperature is less than 0.5.
10. A receptacle according to claim 9 wherein the ratio of the radiant flux per unit *: : : . area of the material to the radiant flux per unit area of a black body at the same ... temperature is less than 0.1. S...
11. A receptacle according to claim 10 wherein the ratio of the radiant flux per * : * *: unit area of the material to the radiant flux per unit area of a black body at the same temperature is 0.055.
12. A receptacle according to any preceding claim wherein the wireless communication device is a mobile phone.
13. A receptacle according to claim 12 wherein the signals are electromagnetic waves having a frequency in the range 800 MFIz to 2000 MHz.
14. A receptacle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. *I.* * SI S. * S... * S **.S * * * *5*SS *5 IS * . SS