WO2002099817A2

WO2002099817A2 - A system and method for limiting electromagnetic radiation and simultaneously providing messages to users of mobile communication devices

Info

Publication number: WO2002099817A2
Application number: PCT/IL2002/000435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roy Livay
Original assignee: Roy Livay
Priority date: 2001-06-04
Filing date: 2002-06-04
Publication date: 2002-12-12
Also published as: WO2002099817A3; AU2002309234A1

Abstract

An apparatus and method for enabling highly effective protection against harmful electromagnetic radiation when using mobile communication devices (14), while simultaneously providing additional value added services. Such a shielding apparatus (10) can be created in any shape or design that reflects a promotional campaign, gimmick, symbol, icon, gadget, image, text and/or tool. Such a shape or design can provide added value to the user or to the promoter, whenever the user handles the device.

Description

A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIMITING ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION AND SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDING MESSAGES TO USERS OF MOBILE

COMMUNICATION DEVICES

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shield device for mobile communication devices, which may be used to protect a user from electromagnetic radiation and simultaneously providing messages to users of such devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is common to install electromagnetic shielding apparatus on electronic devices that emit high frequency RF, such as portable phones and other electronic equipment which is subject to electromagnetic interference from internally and/or externally generated electromagnetic signals. Such a device is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.

5,124,889, which is fully incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth herein, and is installed within the casing of the phone itself. Another example of a protective device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,666, which is fully incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth herein, which is designed with hydrophobic properties in order to protect antenna arrays from moisture. A further example of a more specialized apparatus for protecting users of cellular telephone from electromagnetic radiation is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,896, invented by Danforth, which is fully incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth herein. Danforth teaches a sleeve that fits over the cellular telephone's antenna, to protect a user form microwaves emitted and received by the antenna. An illustration of this apparatus can be seen with reference to Figure 1. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,777,586, invented by Luxon et al. teaches shields on internal surfaces of cellular telephones, which block by absorption the microwave radio frequency radiation which is directed toward the user of the apparatus, and allows the microwave radiation to be redirected and broadcast outwardly from the antenna in the directions away from the user, and thus extends the transmission range of the apparatus.

In order to avoid negative aesthetics on cellular telephones, most radiation shields are currently placed inside the cellular telephone apparatus. There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a system that can enable highly effective protection against harmful electromagnetic radiation, using an external antenna shield, and which simultaneously provides additional value added services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method for limiting electromagnetic radiation from cellular telephone antennas, while simultaneously providing value added services. The present apparatus is substantially an antenna shield, where the shield is constructed out of material that inhibits electromagnetic radiation from spreading to the user of a microwave based communications device. In addition, the shield apparatus according to the present invention enables presentation of content to users. This content is typically in the form of an icon, object and/or message, such as a promotional message, reminder message, medical message and/or personal message. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and operation of a system and a method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings, and the following description, it being understood that these drawings are given for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an illustration of a typical antenna shield. FIGURE 2 is an illustration of an antenna shield that provides a branded advertisement, in the form of a Coca-Cola bottle. FIGURE 3 is an additional illustration of an antenna shield that provides a branded advertisement, in the form of a Cross pen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for enabling highly effective protection against harmful electromagnetic radiation when using mobile communication devices, while simultaneously providing additional value added services. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention as provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be apparent to those with skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features herein disclosed. Specifically, the present invention can be used to adapt electromagnetic shielding devices such that these devices provide additional value added services to users of mobile communication devices. These value added services include presenting to the users objects and/or messages, which deliver communications such as promotional messages, reminder messages, medical messages and/or personal messages.

The principles and operation of a system and a method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description, it being understood that these drawings are given for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting, wherein: As can be seen in Figure 2, the electromagnetic shielding apparatus may be created in any shape or design that reflects a promotion (advertisement campaign), such as a gimmick, symbol, icon, gadget, image, text and/or tool. Such a shape or design can provide added value to the user and/or the promoter, whenever the user handles the device. An example of the usage of such apparatus is the provision of a new channel for advertisers to provide highly effective advertisements, comprised of customized designs, shapes, graphics and/or text.

The shield device according to the present invention provides for electromagnetic radiation shields that are constructed from any materials that are effective in preventing electromagnetic radiation from reaching the user, while enabling effective transmission of communication signals. Examples of materials that may be used include CO-NETIC and NETIC alloys, developed by Magnetic Shield Corporation (740 N. Thomas Dr. Bensenville, IL. 60106 U.S.A.; http://www.magnetic-shield.com), specifically to provide effective magnetic shielding. Both these alloys are available in either foil or sheet form in a convenient range of thicknesses. Additional materials that may be used include PVC,

ETFE, MU metal, Copper, Aluminum, Silicon and Gallium Arsenide.

Any advertisement content may be created on such a shield device, using varying texts, fonts, colors and graphics. In addition, the entire shield may be designed around an advertising concept, such as a mini Coca-Cola bottle (see figure 2), a mini pen (see figure 3), a mini tennis racket, small car, a mini deodorant, a mini sports shoe, a small aiφlane, a mini food wrapping, a medicine bottle or tube etc.

The shield device may also be constructed from alternative materials that may provide features such as glowing in the dark, lighting up when active, flashing on and off etc. These alternative materials are typically incoφorated into the shield apparatus in addition to the electromagnetic radiation prevention material, thereby providing additional features beyond the radiation protection function. Alternatively, various designs may be used that rotate the advertising images or text, or change the colors of the advertising image or text, according to a chosen frequency. In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for affording psychological comfort to a user of a microwave emitting communication device. This method, which comprises placing an electromagnetic radiation shield over an antenna, where the shield is designed according to a relevant idea or concept, provides the user with a psychological comfort in that the user's health is being protected. Optionally, the shield provides content that may be psychologically beneficial to the user, and the user can therefore benefit from an increased feeling of safety, security and value. For example, a user's medical aid service may provide particular members with a shield that reminds the users to take medicine at regular intervals. An alternate example is in the case where a charitable organization provides donors with a "Thank you" shield, such that each time the cellular telephone is used, the user is reminded of the previous donations made to the cause, or the excellent work being done by the organization. One further example is where a husband and wife give each other a shield that is a miniature version of their spouse, such that when the cellular telephone is used, the user is reminded of his or her spouse.

The present invention may be enables according to the following steps: i - creating an antenna shield for a remote communications device, such that the antenna shield is constructed from material that inhibits the device user being exposed to electromagnetic radiation; ii - designing the antenna shield as a representation of a real world object, in terms of shape and/or design; and iii - attaching the antenna shield to the antenna of the communications device (such that the antenna does not transmit electromagnetic radiation to the user, and yet enables ongoing transmission to the communications network).

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the puφoses of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be appreciated that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for providing antenna based remote communication devices with electromagnetic shields, and simultaneously enabling value added services, comprising: i- a communication device with an antenna; ii- an electromagnetic shield, for covering said antenna in order to protect a user of said device from electromagnetic radiation; and iii- a design on said shield device, for providing added value to said user.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said design is selected from the group consisting of advertisements, gimmicks, objects, symbols, icons, gadgets, images, texts and tools.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said design is a shape, said shape symbolizing a real world object.

4. A method for providing effective advertisements to a user of a microwave emitting communication device, comprising: i - creating an antenna shield for the device, said antenna being constructed from material that inhibits the device user being exposed to electromagnetic radiation; ii - designing said antenna shield as a representation of a real world object; and iii - attaching said antenna shield to the antenna of the communications device.

5. An antenna shield apparatus for preventing the radiation of harmful electromagnetic radiation from mobile communication devices, said shield comprised of material selected from the group consisting of: PVC, ETFE, MU metal, Copper, Aluminum, Silicon and Gallium Arsenide.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the antenna shield is designed to convey a message to a user of the mobile communication device, said message selected from the group consisting of promotional messages, reminder messages, medical messages and personal messages.

7. A method for providing psychological comfort to a user of a microwave-emitting communication device, comprising: i - creating an antenna shield for the device, said antenna being constructed from material that inhibits the device user being exposed to electromagnetic radiation; ii - designing said antenna shield as to communicate a message that provides psychological benefit to the user; and iii - attaching said antenna shield to the antenna of the communications device.